Saudi Arabia Rehabilitates 750,000 Hectares, Plants 4 Million Seedlings
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Royal Reserve has announced a major achievement in its environmental efforts. Around 750,000 hectares of degraded land have been rehabilitated and nearly four million seedlings have been planted across its territories.
This marks a flagship success under the Kingdom’s Green Initiative, which aims to restore ecosystems, fight desertification, and strengthen biodiversity.
From Dust to Green: The Transformation
The restored land is located within the 130,700 square kilometers of the King Salman Reserve, which stretches across the northern provinces including Tabuk, Al Jouf, Hail, and the Northern Borders.
To encourage natural regeneration, officials have dispersed 7,500 kilograms of native seeds. These included species such as yarrow, artemisia, and haloxylon. The large-scale seed distribution was paired with traditional planting in areas that needed more direct intervention.
The reserve is home to more than 550 plant species, making the task both a challenge and an opportunity. Alongside vegetation work, the reserve has also relocated over 1,200 wildlife individuals, including Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, and other native species, to strengthen the ecosystem.
Why This Matters
Fighting desertification
Much of Saudi Arabia struggles with land degradation caused by overgrazing, wind erosion, drought, and human pressure. Restoring barren land reduces soil loss, water runoff, and dust storms.
Carbon and climate benefits
More plants mean more carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere. This supports Saudi Arabia’s goals of lowering emissions and meeting global climate commitments.
Boosting biodiversity
Restored land provides shelter and food for wildlife. The reintroduction of species becomes more successful when habitats are healthier and connected.
Social and tourism value
As landscapes recover, the reserve becomes more attractive for ecotourism, education, and local community involvement.
Methods and Strategies
The rehabilitation program uses a combination of modern technologies and traditional methods. Remote sensing and satellite imagery help identify degraded patches. Drones and artificial intelligence are used to track seedling survival and design better planting layouts.
Using local seed stocks is another key strategy. Native plants are better adapted to the climate and soil, increasing the chances of long-term survival.
Strategically, the effort is part of the Saudi Green Initiative, launched in 2021. This program seeks to reduce carbon emissions, expand afforestation, and protect both land and marine ecosystems.
Challenges on the Road Ahead
Restoring land is not a simple task. Seedlings require water, shade, and protection during the first few years. Harsh heat, drought, and unpredictable rainfall make the process harder. Sustaining restoration across such a large area also requires consistent funding and manpower.
Another challenge is balancing wildlife with human activities. As ecosystems recover, managing corridors for animals and preventing conflicts with nearby communities will be important.
While 750,000 hectares is a major achievement, it is still only a portion of the total degraded land in the Kingdom.
Looking Ahead
Officials plan to expand restoration into additional degraded zones, monitor results, and adjust methods based on survival rates. Community engagement and education will also play a bigger role in future projects.
The larger goal is to rehabilitate millions more hectares, plant tens of millions of trees, and align with global restoration efforts. Saudi Arabia’s approach can become a model for other arid and semi-arid regions that face similar environmental challenges.
The vision is not only to make deserts greener but to build climate resilience, protect biodiversity, and support sustainable development for generations to come.
