Madinah greening project successfully plants trees, vegetation

A massive greening project took place over the weekend in the King Abdulaziz Protected Pasture located in the Al-Hanakiyah governorate of Madinah, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. Government representatives, local associations and community members came together to scatter seeds and plant wild trees in a concerted effort to enhance the region's vegetation cover.

This initiative is part of the broader Saudi Green Initiative (SGI), which aims to revitalize vegetation across the Kingdom, raise awareness about the importance of afforestation, and create green spaces to combat desertification and soil erosion. According to reports, the SGI seeks to preserve a healthy environment, mitigate environmental pollution, rehabilitate desert lands and improve vegetation cover in various regions of Saudi Arabia.

The recent activity was led by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification in cooperation with officials from the Madinah region. During the event, seeds from various plants such as Rimth saltbush, Arfaj, lemongrass and Fourwing saltbush were scattered, along with the planting of seedlings from wild trees, including Acacia tortilis, Acacia seyal and Acacia salam.

Launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in March 2021, the Saudi Green Initiative serves as an extension of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, which focuses on diversifying the economy, empowering citizens and fostering an attractive environment for both local and international investors. The SGI aims to protect 30 percent of the Kingdom's land and sea by 2030. The establishment of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification plays a critical role in driving this ambitious program forward.

This weekend's greening project marks a significant step in Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to address environmental challenges and enhance the natural landscape of the Kingdom.