The Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City announced the commencement of fencing operations and planting of one million trees in ‘Shuaib Al-Haisiyah’ and the natural floodways at the King Abdulaziz Military College.
These initiatives demonstrate the leadership’s commitment to environmental sustainability and natural resource conservation through projects with wide-ranging benefits. The efforts directly support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, including its ambitious plan to plant 10 billion trees across the Kingdom. Specifically, such endeavors will combat desertification, moderate temperatures, and improve air quality by reducing pollution and dust. Additionally, they will protect biodiversity, promote collaboration between public and private sectors, and encourage citizen participation in expanding greenery and protecting the national natural ecosystems.
With this announcement, the Tuwaiq Reserve, overseen by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, will witness the planting of indigenous trees and shrubs, including Acacia (Talh), Acacia tortilis (Samur), Acacia ehrenbergiana (Salam), and Ziziphus spina-christi (Sidr), within valleys and natural landscapes. Alongside this, protective fencing will be installed around the planted areas, followed by appropriate care services to ensure their sustainability. These efforts align with the highest standards of sustainable agriculture, aimed at optimizing benefits from rain and floodwater harvesting.
This afforestation initiative, targeting the valleys and natural areas within the borders of the Tuwaiq Reserve, marks the inaugural effort to plant vegetation within the reserve’s precincts. Its primary objectives include protecting the environment and natural resources, enhancing the quality of life for both residents of Riyadh and its visitors, conserving the natural ecosystem, and creating a green sanctuary near the capital.