Madinah Blossoms: Vegetation Soars 360%, Painting Saudi Desert Green

The National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification in Saudi Arabia has recently unveiled a significant growth in the vegetation cover of the Madinah region. Over the past five months of 2023, from August to December, there has been an astounding increase of 360%.

This remarkable expansion can be attributed to the rainfall received during this period, which has played a crucial role in nurturing the vegetation. Through remote sensing data analysis, it was revealed that in August 2023, the total vegetation cover area in Madinah reached 2,863.4 square kilometers, accounting for approximately 1.9% of the region's total area.

As rainfall continued to bless the region, this area gradually expanded and flourished. By December 2023, it had grown exponentially to encompass an impressive 13,194.5 square kilometers—covering around 8.7% of Madinah's total area.

The flourishing vegetation is widespread across various governorates within the Madinah region. It is particularly concentrated in mountainous areas ranging between elevations of 1,000 to 1,300 meters in the western region and semi-flat areas with unique soil characteristics found towards the east.

Notably, substantial pockets of vibrant greenery are located east of AlUla and Al-Hinakiyah governorates; north of Yanbu, Khaybar, and Badr; west of Madinah and Mahd Al-Dhahab; as well as centrally within Wadi Al-Far'a governorate.

The National Center plays a pivotal role by studying and monitoring vegetation cover areas while overseeing changes at afforestation project sites. Additionally, they monitor land cover transformations along with measuring rainfall patterns and assessing plant health using remote sensing technologies coupled with artificial intelligence applications.

These efforts align with the goals of afforestation projects and the Saudi Green Initiative, contributing to the overall vision of achieving sustainable environmental practices. The center's focus extends to protecting vegetation cover sites across the Kingdom, studying all variables in green spaces, developing capabilities to prepare for and mitigate drought, and supporting initiatives outlined in the National Transformation Program towards realizing Saudi Vision 2030.

This commitment reflects Saudi Arabia's dedication to reducing desertification impacts and effectively managing pasture lands, forests, and national parks for sustainable use. The remarkable increase in vegetation cover within Madinah region stands as a testament to these ongoing efforts.