RIYADH: The desert vegetation in Saudi Arabia is slowly receding, the result of the expansion of urban settlements and population, and the increase in the number of livestock, and thus overgrazing, chairman of the Cooperative Society of Moringa and Desert Plants Nasser bin Saleh Al-Khalifa said.
Other reasons include a growing number of cars that roam the desert without sparing the vegetation, a lack of environmental awareness among many citizens and little cooperation, on the part of the concerned parties, in running environment protection projects, as well as harsh environmental conditions typical to the desert, he added.
In a paper presented at the Riyadh environmental camp “My responsibility toward the environment,” organized by the General Administration of Agriculture in the Riyadh region, titled “Protection of desert vegetation in Saudi Arabia”, Al-Khalifa said that the above-mentioned factors are leading to a deterioration of vegetation in these environments, which makes it imperative on those concerned to do everything in their power to prevent the phenomenon and find remedies.
Al-Khalifa mentioned some protection methods that can be applied, “including administrative protection, along with the intervention of the concerned parties to establish a security mechanism and entity with legislative and executive authority to protect the environment, raising awareness among the population and involving the media and social networking in promoting the need to protect and re-farm the desert.”
Deputy Director General of the Natural Resources Department at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Nasser bin Bakheet Al-Marri, who is also chairman of the Scientific Committee of the camp, presented a paper titled “Environmental degradation in the Kingdom and efforts to preserve the environment” in which he said that the ministry, along with other government agencies, adopted policies that will halt environmental degradation, as well as national strategies to combat desertification.
“The ministry is keen to involve the private sector in the efforts exerted to rehabilitate the natural resources and contribute to the preservation of the environment through offering some parks, pastures, forests and fallow land for investment and development,” he stressed.
Professor at the Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences at King Saud University, Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed Al-Saeed also presented a paper, titled “The recreational and environmental role of national parks.”
In it, he talked about the way parks provide recreational opportunities to the community, which can use them to enjoy the beauty of nature, breathe fresh air and enjoy a quiet atmosphere away from the noise of cities.
Urban growth, increase in livestock encroach on desert vegetation in Kingdom
Urban growth, increase in livestock encroach on desert vegetation in Kingdom
Music, art, local dishes stir the senses at Diriyah’s Ramadan market
- Live cooking, henna stations, oud and piano performers among the activities and entertainment at the market
RIYADH: Music, food and art are the sense-stirring offerings at Diriyah’s JAX Ramadan Market, which opened this week.
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is hosting the market as a part of the “Layali Biennale” program.
“The (JAX Ramadan) market is such a cute idea ... the atmosphere, the music, the food, the people all of it is such a fun vibe for Ramadan nights,” Jood Marzouqi, a visitor, told Arab News.
The JAX Ramadan Market is open to the public from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., until April 1, and offers visitors a taste of local Ramadan favorites with a modern twist.
Bateel Ismail, the food and beverage lead of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, told Arab News: “The JAX Ramadan Market has seven main selections of hot stations for live-cooking food and eight stations for other miscellaneous cuisines and products including chocolates, dates, tea, cheese, and specialty crackers.
“We also present a henna station and live activities for families.”
Ismail said: “We curated a diverse range of businesses that offer unique and high-quality products. We also considered factors such as the authenticity of the products, the cultural significance, and the ability to provide a delightful experience for visitors.
“The goal was to create a vibrant and enjoyable market that showcases the best of Ramadan’s most famous food.”
The market featured live oud and piano performances for guests to enjoy while shopping.
To foster Ramadan’s community spirit, the market has set up a long table where guests can sit together to eat and chat.
One of the booths named Balila Al-Hijaz offers boiled chickpeas with toppings of pickles and spices including cumin.
A variety of stuffed dates can be found at several booths including The Flavors of Hijaz and Musa & Palm. On the dessert side, Najd Luqaimat has fried dough balls stuffed with cheese, drizzled with honey, chocolate or other syrups.
Visitor Marzouqi said the market captures the spirit of the holy month. “I grew up in Jeddah. Having food with friends and hanging out, was our most memorable tradition during Ramadan in Jeddah.”
She added: “Since I’ve moved to Riyadh, I started missing that, and I heard about this market; and honestly it feels similar to Jeddah. It’s a little different but the vibes, atmosphere and energy truly remind me of a Ramadan back home.”
When asked, Marzouqi said her favorite booth was “definitely the Flavors of Hijaz.”
“I wish it (the market) was bigger. The space is smaller than I expected, but it’s still a fun activity for Ramadan nights.”
Also at the market, The Truffleers, a Saudi Arabia luxury chocolate truffle company, featured several varieties of their products including salted-butter caramel truffles, pure chocolate truffles, Arabian coffee beans, and cookie crisps.
The Truffleers was launched three years ago in Dhahran and has now expanded across the Kingdom.
Wijdan Hussein, operations manager of The Truffleers, told Arab News: “We have seven locations within the Kingdom and we are participating in events such as the JAX Ramadan Market. We are showcasing our chocolate truffle products.
“Our participation in the market today has been very nice, the atmosphere is wonderful, and everything is very beautiful.”
Another booth featuring handmade Saudi Arabia desserts is Okay by Sara, a sweets company that displays their take on ghorayebah, a type of local butter cookie.
Afnan Mahmoud, a sales representative from Okay by Sara, said: “All of our desserts are handmade and come in different designs, based on the occasion you have. For example, if you order dessert for the occasion of Ramadan or any celebration we will specialize it and design it for you.”
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief donates tons of dates and food aid to families in need
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has donated 40 tons of dates to Malaysia and Poland, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
In Warsaw, Poland, 15 tons of dates were handed over, while in Malaysia a further 23 tonnes were distributed as part of the agency’s ongoing work to assist those most in need.
On Wednesday, meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance launched the Kingdom’s gift program to distribute dates and iftar meals in Amman, Jordan.
The first stage involves the delivery of approximately 5 tons of dates to more than 20,000 people.
The second part of the program aims to provide iftar meals to over 7,000 people.
KSrelief also provided 2,900 food aid parcels to Montenegro, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Benin and Sudan, benefiting 14,275 people.
Crown prince receives governors of Saudi regions
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received governors of the Kingdom’s regions following their 31st annual meeting, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.
The Crown Prince was briefed on the most prominent topics discussed at the annual meeting.
He commended the governors’ efforts to serve the country, citizens and residents, and their work to achieve comprehensive development.
Saudi Arabia to host conference on role of universities in promoting peaceful coexistence
- The event will take place at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University on April 28 and 29
RIYADH: Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh will host an international conference next month titled “The Role of Universities in Promoting the Values of National Belonging and Peaceful Coexistence.” It will take place on April 28 and 29 under the patronage of King Salman.
Ahmed bin Salem Al-Ameri, the president of the university, thanked the king for his support and said the aim of the event is to “highlight the experiences of universities in promoting these lofty values, and to demonstrate the importance of correct doctrine and the approach of moderation,” the Saudi Press agency reported on Wednesday.
The participants will include leaders, dignitaries, scholars and intellectuals from the Kingdom and other countries, he added, who will share their specialist legal, scientific and social expertise during lectures, discussion sessions and workshops.
Weather warnings issued across Saudi Arabia until Monday
RIYADH: Members of the public have been urged to exercise caution over the coming days as weather warnings have been issued in several regions across Saudi Arabia.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense said there could be thunderstorms from Thursday to Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Moderate to heavy rain, leading to torrential rain, hail and high wind, has been forecast for Makkah region, including the Holy Capital, Al-Jumum, Al-Kamil, Bahra, Khulais, Taif, Maysan, Adham, Al-Ardiyat, Tarbah, Raniyah, Al-Muwayh, and Al-Khurmah.
The Riyadh region will be affected by similar weather conditions, including the capital, Diriyah, Afif, Al-Dawadmi. Al-Quwayiyah, Al-Majma’ah, Thadiq, Marrat, Al-Ghat, Al-Zulfi, Shaqraa, Rumah, Huraymila, Darma, Al-Muzahmiyah, Al-Kharj, Wadi Al-Dawasir, Al-Salil, Al-Aflaj, Hotat Bani Tamim and Al-Hareeq.
The same has been forecast for the regions of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Border, Hail, Al-Qassim, and the Eastern Province.
Some parts of Makkah region, including Jeddah, Rabigh, Al-Laith, Al-Qunfudhah, will be affected by moderate rainfall that may lead to torrential rain, hail and high winds.
Some areas in the regions of Jazan, Najran and the Eastern Province will be affected by light to medium rain and active downward winds that raise dust and dirt, the authority added.
The directorate called on the public to stay safe and away from places which could be affected by floods or become swamped. It urged people not to swim in such places as this would be dangerous, and to adhere to any instructions issued through the media or social media networks.