São Paulo – Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) has announced an initiative to rehabilitate natural pastures across the country, as part of efforts to restore 350,000 hectares by 2030. The measure is part of the Saudi Green Initiative, a national plan to combat climate change and protect the country’s environment.
The center has restored more than 51,000 hectares of degraded land at 58 sites and 15 valleys and meadows over the past two years, sowing 109 tons of seeds from 40 plant species, Saudi state news agency SPA reported. The target for this year is to rehabilitate another 60,000 hectares at 70 sites and 25 valleys and meadows, using more than 110 tons of seeds from 70 species.
SPA reports that, to maximize germination, the distributed seeds underwent quality testing according to International Seed Testing Association standards. Sowing schedules and rainwater harvesting were also aligned with the Regional Cloud Seeding Program, using forecasts to ensure higher plant survival rates.
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Translated by Guilherme Miranda
