Al-Urma mountain range: A lofty landmark at the King Khalid Royal Reserve

Sedimentary rocks make up Al-urma mountain range. (Supplied)
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Updated 17 September 2023
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Al-Urma mountain range: A lofty landmark at the King Khalid Royal Reserve

  • Al-Urma’s valleys are surrounded by lowlands and floodplains, including Al-Batin in the western part

RIYADH: The King Khalid Royal Reserve covers 1,162 sq. km and is situated northeast of the capital city of Riyadh. It is managed by the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority and has natural attractions, structures, and geological formations that make it a distinctive and alluring tourist destination.

The Khashm Al-Thumama, which rises 810 meters above sea level and is regarded as the most significant khashm in the reserve, is the tallest peak in the Al-Urma mountain range, which spans around 700 km in the east-central region of the Arabian Peninsula.




Sedimentary rocks make up Al-urma mountain range. (SPA)

Sedimentary rocks, some of which are dazzling white in color, make up the mountain range. These rocks break down into white sand that covers several valleys and reefs, including Al-Thumama Valley, as a result of factors related to erosion which creates white valleys with acacia trees and other vegetation. These rocks distinguish themselves from the light brown sedimentary rocks of other groups.

Al-Thumama is attractive for ecotourism activities. It boasts several species of wild trees and shrubs, along with rock formations and cavities filled with white sand, reflecting the beauty of the natural environment.




Sedimentary rocks make up Al-urma mountain range. (SPA)

Additionally, it features paved mountain climbing trails constructed in accordance with international standards and specifications that cover environmental sustainability and visitor safety.

Al-Urma’s valleys are surrounded by lowlands and floodplains, including Al-Batin in the western part. However, most of them are situated in the eastern portion, in places like the Khuraim and Umm Al-Qata floodplains in the royal reserve.

Before arriving at its destination and irrigating the ground, water travels through the valleys for many kilometers. The ground is covered later in the year with seasonal and pastoral plants.

The authority launched Urma Winter Season last year and has adopted Urma as a trademark, registering it with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.

It carries great geological significance, with its rocks telling historic tales while featuring stone inscriptions thousands of years old.

 


Saudi project clears 1,050 Houthi mines in Yemen

Updated 4 sec ago
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Saudi project clears 1,050 Houthi mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,050 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 1,020 unexploded ordnances, 24 anti-tank mines, three anti-personnel mines and three explosive devices, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 488,656 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.


Kingdom launches $293m water projects in Qassim

Updated 2 min 36 sec ago
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Kingdom launches $293m water projects in Qassim

  • These projects align with the company’s strategies to expand water and environmental services

RIYADH: The National Water Co. has begun implementing 16 water and wastewater projects in the Qassim region, with a total cost exceeding SR1.1 billion ($293 million).

These projects aim to expand water and sanitation services and meet rising demand,  the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The sanitation component includes 12 projects worth more than SR870 million, involving the installation of more than 645 km of sewage pipes and networks, as well as the construction of lifting stations with a total capacity exceeding 6,000 cubic meters per day.

The water component consists of four projects valued at more than SR247 million, including the laying of more than 579 km of water pipelines and networks.

These projects align with the company’s strategies to expand water and environmental services, meet growing demand, and improve the quality of life and services, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.


Golden heron graces skies of Northern Borders region

Updated 2 min 53 sec ago
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Golden heron graces skies of Northern Borders region

  • Wetland bird thrives along seashores, rivers, reed beds

RIYADH: The skies above Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region come alive each year with the graceful flight of migratory birds, from golden herons gliding over wetlands to flocks seeking respite.

Member of the Aman Environmental Association and birdwatching enthusiast Adnan Khalifa told the Saudi Press Agency that he recently observed several species of migratory birds in the region — most notably the golden heron — in various water bodies scattered across the area’s wilderness.

The golden heron, a wetland bird, thrives along seashores, rivers, and reed beds. Its plumage, a vibrant golden or orange hue, transforms in flight as its wings flash white, creating a dazzling spectacle visible from a distance.

Feeding on small fish, amphibians, and insects, golden herons typically nest in small colonies but often roam alone outside the breeding season.

These birds breed in reed marshes, atop trees, or along the shores of lakes and rivers.

The Northern Borders region serves as a vital migratory corridor, its strategic geographical location bridging Europe, Africa, and Asia, and its diverse landscapes — lush with natural vegetation — attracting both migratory and resident bird species.

This steady stream of birds through the region signals a thriving ecosystem, reflecting the region’s ecological health and balance.

These natural scenes during migration seasons add aesthetic value and cultural richness for local residents and visitors, including nature enthusiasts and environmental observers.

Migratory birds play an important role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds, controlling insect populations, and enhancing biodiversity, making them a vital element in sustaining the environmental life cycle.


Saudi ministry supports Balkans Qur’an contest

Updated 19 min 10 sec ago
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Saudi ministry supports Balkans Qur’an contest

RIYADH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, through the religious attache at the Saudi Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has concluded the preliminary qualifiers for the largest international Holy Qur’an memorization competition in the Balkans.

The event was organized in cooperation with the Islamic Sheikdom in Kosovo and coordinated with the Saudi Embassy in Albania, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

There were 2,350 contestants from 22 countries, including Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Italy, Turkiye, Greece, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Estonia, Belgium, Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, Belarus and San Marino.

Of these, 160 contestants qualified for the final round, to be held May 8-11 in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, where they will compete in five categories.

The competition offers a total prize pool of SR500,000 ($133,000), with an estimated organization cost of SR1.2 million.

Sheikh Naim Ternava, grand mufti and head of the Islamic Sheikhdom in Kosovo, expressed gratitude to the Kingdom for its ongoing support.

He praised the ministry’s various programs aimed at promoting a moderate understanding of Islam and reinforcing the values and teachings of the Holy Qur’an among Muslims in the Balkans, particularly in Kosovo.


Kingdom ensures health, safety for Hajj pilgrims

Updated 40 min ago
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Kingdom ensures health, safety for Hajj pilgrims

  • Saudi authority to oversee food, medicine, medical facilities under comprehensive plan

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority is implementing a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety of food, medicine, and medical products provided to pilgrims during the Hajj season.

These efforts are being carried out under government directives, reflecting its commitment to serving pilgrims and ensuring their comfort and safety, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The authority will monitor and inspect products under its supervision at air, land, and sea ports of entry for pilgrims, the SPA added.

It will also oversee food and pharmaceutical facilities and medical sites in Makkah and Madinah, as well as seasonal medical facilities affiliated with Hajj affairs offices, in coordination with the Ministry of Health.

In addition, the authority will monitor products arriving via air freight from Hajj affairs offices at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

Its initiatives during the Hajj season include field studies and awareness workshops for staff in approved food preparation kitchens to ensure compliance with health standards to provide safe meals to pilgrims, in collaboration with the municipalities of Makkah and Madinah.

The authority will also deliver multilingual awareness messages and informational programs to pilgrims on food and drug safety, according to the SPA.

The initiatives reflect the authority’s ongoing efforts to deliver optimal regulatory services, enhance coordination with government agencies for a successful Hajj season, and reinforce the Kingdom’s leadership in crowd management.