RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched a project to study and assess degraded sites in Saudi Arabia’s western and southern regions.
Using advanced technology, the project will develop rehabilitation plans aligned with global standards as part of a broader national strategy, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
It focuses on identifying degraded areas and analyzing direct and indirect causes in Makkah, Madinah, Baha, Asir, Jazan, and Najran.
Tailored plans will be developed to monitor and evaluate land degradation, considering local conditions and national priorities, the SPA added.
The strategy includes short-, medium-, and long-term plans to restore degraded lands using internationally recognized methods.
As a part of the implementation, the center will conduct in-depth assessments with remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems to determine degradation severity.
The project also involves extensive field and lab analyses of soil, vegetation and water, along with economic and social evaluations, the SPA reported.
Practical methodologies and mechanisms will be developed to guide rehabilitation efforts based on prioritized restoration needs.
