RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s 75-year afforestation program is a battle for cleaner air and healthier soil, according to the general manager of the National Greening Program.
Ahmed Al-Anzi made the statement on Tuesday during a presentation titled “Shaping a Sustainable Future for Saudi Landscapes” at the World Environment Social and Governance Summit in Riyadh.
The National Center for Vegetation Cover official spoke about the road map to combat land degradation, boost biodiversity and improve air quality by 2100.
“Trees grow slowly, ecosystems rebuild incrementally. Our vision extends to 2100 to ensure real impact,” Al-Anzi said.
The phased plan allowed for adaptive responses to climate shifts, with milestones aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 sustainability goals, he said.
Respiratory diseases caused by pollution and sand particles are a significant cause of death in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Anzi said the program represented a battle for cleaner air and healthier soil.
“Our satellite-based NDVI mapping reveals both vegetation decline and recovery pathways,” he said, referring to the surveying method that assesses the density of vegetation.
He highlighted efforts to target zones ravaged by overgrazing and urban sprawl and said that NGP strategies included enforcing protections for the remaining green corridors.
The program’s goal was “to plant 10 million native trees annually by 2030, prioritizing drought-resistant species,” he said.
Deploying AI systems to optimize renewable water use, including treated wastewater, was crucial, and the NGP aimed to train 20,000 citizens in land stewardship through community partnerships, he said.
Al-Anzi also highlighted the program’s efforts to create new forests.
Tree planting initiatives, including mangroves, had achieved “impressive results with over 128 million trees planted to date” and in terms of land rehabilitation, “we have prioritized soil conservation and afforestation, successfully rehabilitating over 288,000 hectares of land,” he said.
The program’s land protection efforts have also focused on measures such as establishing national parks.
“To date, the program has protected more than 4.4 million hectares of land through these efforts,” Al-Anzi said.
