TAIF: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has successfully completed the planting of 150,000 trees in Saiysad National Park of Taif as part of a national initiative aiming to plant 10 billion trees—a key target under the Saudi Green Initiative.
The tree varieties include jujube, acacia, seyal, acacia asak, and Vachellia flava. Moreover, the project involved the planting of various plants, such as dodonaea and henna. Spanning eight different locations within the 28 million square meter park, Saiysad National Park is among the largest land parks in the Makkah region and holds the distinction of being one of the oldest in the Kingdom.
Situated approximately 15 km northeast of Taif’s center, the park derives its name from the historic Saiysad dam. Noteworthy for its lush greenery and surrounded by mountains, the park serves as a distinctive nature reserve.
In efforts to enhance the park’s development and extend services to the public, the national center has presented 17 temporary investment opportunities within specific areas of the park. Furthermore, various community and voluntary initiatives for afforestation and cleaning have been initiated. The park is also accessible to campers and caravans.
The overarching goals of the National Center involve the development, protection, control, and rehabilitation of sites with degraded vegetation. This includes the management and investment in pasture lands, forests, and national parks. Additionally, the center actively works to detect encroachments on vegetation, combat illegal logging across the Kingdom, and conserve natural resources and biodiversity.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a significant proponent of green living, undertaking various projects nationwide, including environmental initiatives, to elevate the quality of life and contribute to global efforts in mitigating the impacts of climate change.
