NCVC Rehabilitates 4.7 Million Hectares of Floodplains and Meadows to Enhance Sustainability

 The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) is advancing the Floodplains and Meadows Rehabilitation Initiative to conserve these natural areas and enhance their sustainability, given their significant environmental and economic value in Saudi Arabia.
 According to NCVC, floodplains and meadows cover an estimated 4.7 million hectares of natural land targeted for rehabilitation through an integrated set of measures. These include planting native trees and shrubs to strengthen vegetation cover, broadcasting rangeland seeds to support regeneration, deploying advanced rainwater-harvesting techniques, and securing and protecting natural sites to ensure long-term sustainability.
 These areas are considered among Saudi Arabia’s key natural environments, supporting livestock needs, carbon sequestration, and reducing sand encroachment and dust storms. They also provide natural habitats for wildlife, making their rehabilitation and protection a core element of broader efforts to safeguard natural assets.
 In addition, floodplains and meadows are characterized by deep, fertile soils deposited by floodwaters and dense vegetation rich in organic matter, which makes them among the most suitable locations for cultivation. Their biodiversity is also one of their most distinctive environmental attributes.
 Across Saudi Arabia, the number of floodplains and meadows exceeds 1,000 sites, ranging from small basins to areas spanning thousands of hectares. They are primarily concentrated in the central region and the northeastern part of Saudi Arabia, including Rawdat Khuraim, Rawdat Tinhat, Rawdat Al-Khafs, Fiyadh Al-Summan, and Al-Hajrah.
 The initiative contributes to conserving biodiversity and ecosystems, regulating grazing to maintain rangeland condition, and providing a healthy and sustainable environment for local communities. It also encourages beekeeping and honey production as sustainable economic activities, supports investment in medicinal and aromatic plants, and develops floodplains and meadows into attractive destinations for ecotourism.
 NCVC continues its nationwide work to develop, protect, monitor, and rehabilitate vegetation cover sites; detect encroachments; combat illegal woodcutting; and oversee rangelands, forests, and national parks, supporting sustainable development and contributing to the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.