Vegetation cover in the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve (ITBA) has significantly increased to 8.5%, according to the reserve’s Development Authority.
This outstanding increase was driven by improved air quality and reduced severity of dust storms in several central regions of the Kingdom, according to Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The rate of green cover across the reserve has grown from 1.4 percent in 2018 to the 8.5 percent recorded this year.
Furthermore, the reserve has identified over 180 plant species across 38 plant families, representing 7.5% of all plant species in the Kingdom.
ITBA planted more than 600,000 trees through desert forestation projects.
These achievements highlight the tangible effects of the Saudi Green Initiative goal to plant over 600 million trees by 2030.
They also indicate the reserve’s commitment to wildlife protection, environmental restoration, and vegetation revival.
Located in the northeastern part of the Kingdom, the reserve is a preferable destination for visitors, especially those interested in eco-tourism, bird watching, hiking and similar activities.
As the second-largest royal reserve, ITBA is popularly known for its mesmerizing landscapes and unique ecological wonders.
In 2023, the reserve was nominated officially for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List of well-managed and protected areas worldwide.
Moreover, it was included in the World Database on Protected Areas, led by the IUCN and the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).
Several rare species thrive in the reserve, including the Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, ostriches, and red foxes. Researchers have documented 138 wild species, of which 11 mammals, 88 bird species, various reptiles, invertebrates, and 179 plant species.
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