Coinciding with the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, AlUla Governorate continues strengthening its environmental efforts to restore natural systems and reduce land degradation, through integrated programs for rehabilitating natural rangelands and planting native species, enhancing biodiversity and natural habitat efficiency.
These efforts have resulted in restoring and rehabilitating more than 5,100 hectares of natural rangelands under habitat protection programs, alongside planting more than 530,000 seedlings representing 60 native plant species, supporting vegetation sustainability and ecological balance in the region.
AlUla recorded notable progress in environmental recovery indicators, with vegetation cover rising from 6% in 2018 to 35% in 2025, reflecting the impact of environmental restoration programs in improving ecosystem health and climate resilience. The environmental efforts also received international recognition through the inclusion of Sharaan National Park on the IUCN Green List, in recognition of its practices in biodiversity protection and natural area management according to global standards.
AlUla’s initiatives reflect its commitment to nature-based solutions for desertification and land degradation, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030.
Source: Riyadh Daily