Saudi Arabia: 31m trees planted in Eastern Province under green drive

More than 31 million trees have been planted in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province as part of the country’s ambitious national afforestation efforts, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The initiative, spearheaded by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, began in November and involves collaboration with 51 public and private entities. The program aims to plant 1.5 billion trees across the province by the year 2100, rehabilitating over 7.9 million hectares of degraded land.

This afforestation drive is a core component of the broader Saudi Green Initiative, which targets the planting of 10 billion trees nationwide and the restoration of more than 40 million hectares of land. By 2030, authorities aim to plant at least 600 million trees under the initiative.

Beyond tree planting, the center is conducting environmental monitoring, curbing illegal logging activities and raising public awareness. It also combats sand encroachment threatening farmlands and promotes the use of native plant species to preserve local biodiversity.

The campaign is further reinforced through the National Afforestation Season, organised annually in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, encouraging community participation in achieving Saudi Arabia’s long-term sustainability goals.