Al-Rafia Municipality plants 250 trees in Al-Shihiyah as part of the Saudi Green Initiative
In a move reflecting its commitment to improving the urban landscape and promoting environmental sustainability, Al-Rafia Municipality implemented a unique tree-planting initiative in collaboration with the Al-Shihiyah Primary Healthcare Center. Launched under the slogan "A Hand Plants, a Land Flourishes," the initiative saw the planting of 250 trees in strategically selected locations within the Al-Shihiyah area, as part of the municipality's ongoing efforts to increase green spaces and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Keeping pace with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030
This initiative comes within a broader national context aligned with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , specifically the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which aims to combat desertification and reduce carbon emissions. Municipalities across the Kingdom, including Al-Rafia Municipality, serve as vital implementing arms for the "Quality of Life" program, which seeks to make Saudi cities and towns more livable by focusing on environmental and aesthetic aspects.
The mayor of Al-Rafia, Saud Al-Duwaish, explained that this step stems from the municipality’s social responsibility, stressing that municipal work is no longer limited to traditional services, but has extended to include promoting environmental sustainability and activating community partnership with various governmental and private sectors.
Environmental and health impact of afforestation
These initiatives are not limited to aesthetics; they also have tangible health and environmental impacts. Staff at the Al-Shihiyah Primary Healthcare Center expressed their full support for these efforts, noting the close link between the environment and public health. Increased vegetation cover directly contributes to:
- Purifying the air and reducing the levels of dust and suspended particles.
- Lowering local temperatures, thus reducing the phenomenon of heat islands in residential areas.
- Improving the mental health of the population by providing visually pleasing landscapes.
Promoting awareness and community partnership
The initiative focused heavily on raising awareness, aiming to instill the concepts of preserving natural resources within the community. Al-Duwaish emphasized the importance of integrated cooperation among government sectors to achieve shared development goals, stressing that the sustainability and growth of these trees require community awareness of the importance of their preservation.
The mayor concluded his speech by emphasizing that Al-Rafia Municipality will continue to launch and implement environmental and development initiatives, extending an open invitation to all residents of the area to actively participate in such activities, to contribute together to building a greener and more prosperous future for generations to come.
