The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) to plant 5 million wild trees native to Saudi Arabia by the end of 2030 by using treated wastewater, in support of afforestation and natural vegetation cover development initiative.
The MoU aims to reduce the degradation of rangelands and forests, combat desertification, restore wildlife habitats, raise environmental awareness and to promote adaptation to climate by planting 5 million native wild trees, by the end of 2030, as well as to strengthen cooperation between the two parties for the public interest.
The MoU was signed by Deputy Minister for Environment, Dr. Osama I. Faqeeha and HE Eng. Governor of SWCC, Ali Bin AbdulRahman AlHazmy. The MoU also aims to enhance collaboration between the MEWA and the SWCC to build an effective partnership to activate the procedures and measures necessary to preserve the ecosystem, by forming a joint team working to develop executive plans aim to create and develop natural vegetation cover and support biodiversity in the Kingdom, as stated in the framework of the MOU. This can be achieved by utilizing renewable and renewable water resources such as rainwater and treated wastewater, using modern technologies and international best practices in the field of vegetation development.
Pursuant to the MoU, the two parties will develop a joint program to support various awareness events, such as the Saudi Environment Week, conferences, campaigns and environmental awareness campaigns in schools, by encouraging students to green school yards and public parks. They will also cooperate with voluntary associations to encourage community participation in planting native plants, developing vegetation and promoting environmental awareness.
The cooperation also includes the identification of sites and lands targeted for afforestation, the provision of treated wastewater sources, the identification of suitable local plant species of trees and shrubs, the protection of afforestation sites, and the preparation of sites for afforestation works such as fencing, digging and fertilizing, as well as the installation of water tanks and irrigation networks within afforestation sites.