Riyadh: The Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority has achieved a significant milestone, having planted over 1.5 million trees and shrubs in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve and King Khalid Royal Reserve. This accomplishment coincides with the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) and the Saudi Green Initiative Forum in Riyadh.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this initiative aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030, which places environmental sustainability at its core, and supports efforts to combat desertification, rehabilitate ecosystems, and contribute to the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative. The project entails planting a variety of native tree and shrub species, such as Acacia gerrardii, Acacia seyal, Ziziphus spina-christi (sidr), calligonum (arta), panicgrass (thumam), Acacia tortilis (samr), Rhanterium epapposum (arfaj), and caper bush (shafallah), in order to restore biodiversity and improve natural habit
ats for wildlife.
This initiative reflects the authority’s commitment to achieving its environmental goals through innovative and sustainable solutions based on the best global practices. Modern technologies, including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) for vegetation analysis, AI to optimize planting processes, and identifying saplings through drone imagery, are used to carry out the project. The authority is dedicated to developing sustainable projects that enhance biodiversity and protect wildlife, contributing to a balanced and sustainable environmental future.