RIYADH: Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla has seen a remarkable transformation with the planting of 500,000 trees and shrubs, aiming to restore native ecosystems.
The project, spearheaded by the Royal Commission for AlUla, aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, which seeks to plant 10 billion trees across the Kingdom.
In November, AlUla residents, students, and commission employees collaborated to achieve this milestone, according to a press release.
The reforestation effort utilized locally sourced seeds cultivated at the commission’s native plant nursery, focusing on species that improve soil health, water retention, and nutrient availability. These plants also provide a sustainable food source for herbivores introduced through the commission’s rewilding program.
So far, rewilding initiatives have released over 1,000 native animals into four protected reserves in AlUla. This effort is part of a larger ecological rehabilitation pilot in partnership with the Saudi Green Initiative, exploring restoration techniques suited for arid environments.
