Riyadh, March 20, 2024, On March 21, in honor of the International Day of Forests themed "Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World," Saudi Arabia is hosting a special event at the ROSHN Front in Riyadh. The event is designed to highlight the country's vast and diverse forests, spanning an impressive 2.7 million hectares and home to 97 tree species.
Over three days, the event will showcase the different types of forests found across Saudi Arabia's mountains, valleys, and coastal ecosystems. One of the focal points will be the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), which plays a pivotal role in protecting and rehabilitating forests through various initiatives, projects, studies, and field surveys.
At the heart of these efforts is the National Forest Strategy, a significant initiative under the National Transformation Program that aligns with the objectives of the National Environment Strategy and the Saudi Green Initiative. The strategy is structured around six core pillars, including afforestation plans, institutional frameworks, conservation programs, monitoring and evaluation, community participation, and financing mechanisms.
Saudi Arabia's forests are not only crucial for the environment but also contribute to economic growth and benefit local communities. The NCVC's collaborative approach involves engaging government agencies, universities, research centers, NGOs, and local communities to exchange expertise in forest management, conservation, and protection.
Furthermore, the NCVC conducts comprehensive forest surveys to assess plant types, density, and conditions. These surveys are instrumental in increasing vegetation cover, combating pests and invasive species, and aiding in carbon storage for climate change mitigation.
To achieve its goals, the NCVC has undertaken ambitious initiatives such as planting 60 million trees and rehabilitating 300,000 hectares of forest and valley land. Additionally, the center enforces regulations to promote sustainable forest management practices, including prohibiting grazing in protected areas and degraded forests to ensure the long-term protection, conservation, and development of Saudi Arabia's invaluable forest resources.
