Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Minister of Surroundings, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, who can also be chairman of the Board of Administrators of the Nationwide Heart for Vegetation Improvement and Combating Desertification, inaugurated the manager plan for the Saudi Nationwide Afforestation Program. The plan goals to attain the objectives of the Kingdom’s Imaginative and prescient 2030 by preserving the protection of the surroundings and pure sources, and reaching the cultivation of 10 billion timber over the approaching many years, inside the framework of the Saudi Inexperienced Initiative.
The plan was unveiled after the Heart accomplished an in depth strategic scientific feasibility research that lasted for 2 years to allow the Kingdom to attain the purpose of planting 10 billion timber, and buying sustainable irrigation strategies that can be utilized in afforestation actions. It additionally goals to make sure the compatibility of the chosen tree species with the vegetation cowl, and their capacity to adapt to the Kingdom’s local weather.
The CEO of the Nationwide Heart for Vegetation Improvement and Combating Desertification Dr. Khaled Al-Abdulqader mentioned that the nationwide afforestation program goals to extend inexperienced areas, fight desertification, and contribute to reaching the objectives of the Saudi Inexperienced Initiative by planting 10 billion timber, equal to reclaiming rehabilitation of 40 million hectares of degraded lands, Saudi Press Company reported.
He famous that this system is without doubt one of the primary and vital packages that may contribute to reaching the objectives of the Kingdom’s Imaginative and prescient 2030, by preserving the integrity of the surroundings and pure sources, and reaching 4 p.c of the objectives of the worldwide initiative to scale back the degradation of lands and wildlife habitats.
Al-Abdulqader identified that the Kingdom is replete with greater than 2,500 species of untamed crops, and this system makes use of 350 species of them in afforestation work, which extends to incorporate 13 areas throughout the Kingdom, counting on irrigation by means of rainwater and handled water, along with counting on seawater to develop mangrove forests. He famous that the middle works to develop, shield and management vegetation websites and rehabilitate degraded ones, together with managing and investing in pasture lands, forests and nationwide parks, and preserving pure sources and biodiversity.
It’s noteworthy that Saudi Arabia introduced earlier a highway map for planting 10 billion timber, which falls inside the Kingdom’s nationwide and worldwide commitments to handle climate-related environmental challenges and enhance the standard of lifetime of residents by means of the financial and social advantages that will likely be achieved in the long run by means of afforestation efforts.