Sustainable grazing in Saudi Arabia: Allocating 2.4 million hectares
The National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification in Saudi Arabia has announced a pioneering step to promote sustainable grazing in the Kingdom. Applications are now open for grazing permits in 84 natural rangeland sites that have witnessed significant environmental recovery across various regions. This initiative covers a vast area exceeding 2.4 million hectares, representing a qualitative leap in natural resource management and protection from environmental degradation and desertification, in line with the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030.
Regulating livestock through sustainable grazing in Saudi Arabia
The center explained that these 84 sites were carefully selected after ensuring they met environmental recovery criteria and reached their targeted grazing capacity, thus guaranteeing optimal resource utilization without negatively impacting the ecological balance. This regulation aims to achieve a balance between livestock numbers and the natural regeneration capacity of vegetation. Breeders and beneficiaries can apply for these permits electronically through the “Nabat” platform, which facilitates monitoring, ensures that rangeland carrying capacity is not exceeded, and reduces the overgrazing phenomenon that has plagued the Kingdom's lands for decades.
Historical context and combating desertification in the Kingdom's lands
Historically, the desert environment of the Arabian Peninsula has faced numerous challenges, including severe drought and sand encroachment, as well as unregulated grazing pressure that has led to the degradation of vast areas of natural vegetation and the loss of biodiversity. In recent years, the Saudi leadership has recognized the seriousness of this degradation for water and food security, prompting it to launch ambitious national environmental protection strategies. The establishment of the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification is a crucial institutional step towards rehabilitating these lands and implementing strict regulations that ensure the restoration of biodiversity and the protection of native plants from extinction.
The environmental and economic impact of the initiative locally and regionally
The allocation of 2.4 million hectares for regulated grazing extends beyond the local level, impacting both regionally and internationally. Locally, this step contributes to supporting food security and developing livestock in sustainable ways that do not deplete scarce water resources. It also supports the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant billions of trees and rehabilitate millions of hectares of degraded land.
Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom presents a model to be emulated in managing arid and semi-arid regions, thus bolstering international efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions. Restoring vegetation cover in these vast areas directly contributes to lowering local temperatures and improving air quality, demonstrating the Kingdom's commitment to international environmental and climate agreements and positioning it at the forefront of countries championing environmental sustainability.
