Saudi Arabia taking lead in conservation of environment
Deep within the sweeping desert landscapes of
northwest Saudi Arabia, the NEOM
Nature Reserve is emerging as one of the world’s most ambitious
conservation initiatives — a living laboratory where science, innovation, and
tradition converge to restore balance to nature.
Guided by a team of passionate Saudi
conservationists, the reserve lies at the heart of NEOM’s vision to protect 95
percent of its land and sea for nature and to build a legacy of environmental
excellence for the future.
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Restoring life to the land
At the forefront of this mission is Tariq
Aljohany, a field restoration specialist whose work focuses on reintroducing
native plant species once lost to overgrazing and off-road driving.
“I collect seeds from native species across
NEOM and propagate them at the Mneifa Plant Nursery,” Aljohany explained. “Our
goal is to bring back the plants that belong to this land and restore the
ecological balance that once existed.”
His connection to the desert runs deep — a
passion nurtured since childhood. “My father taught me to appreciate the
landscapes and their species,” he said. “Seeing them under threat made me
determined to revive them for future generations.”
That determination has led to tangible
results. Before construction began in Trojena, Aljohany and his team rescued
four Caralluma petraea plants, propagating them through cuttings and seeds.
Today, nearly 100 thriving plants are being cultivated for reintroduction — a
testament to the success of NEOM’s ex-situ conservation efforts.
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Rewilding NEOM’s wilderness
The NEOM Nature Reserve forms the backbone of
a massive ecological restoration program to rehabilitate 1.5 million hectares
of habitat and plant 100 million native trees, shrubs, and grasses.
In mid-2025, the reserve reached a major
milestone with the reintroduction of more than 1,100 animals across six native
species, including the Arabian oryx, sand and mountain gazelles, Nubian ibex,
and red-necked ostriches — restoring the delicate balance of its ecosystems.
For Bushra Alabdulhafith, wildlife conservation
science lead at NEOM, this work is both personal and profound.
“Some of my happiest memories are of camping
and exploring Saudi Arabia’s wild places,” she said. “Nature gave me peace and
belonging — and now, protecting it has become my mission.”
Her team supports NEOM’s Rewilding Program,
overseeing animal releases and long-term biodiversity monitoring. Using camera
traps, they study species such as Arabian wolves, red foxes, and striped hyenas,
informing future conservation strategies.
Bushra also led NEOM’s first raptor-release
program, a collaboration with the Saudi
Falcon Club under the Hadad Program.
“We’ve successfully released Barbary falcons
and even recorded chicks hatching — a sign that our efforts are working,” she
said. “It’s just the beginning; we plan to expand to more birds of prey soon.”
Safeguarding marine life in the Red Sea
Beyond the desert, NEOM is also a sanctuary
for marine megafauna, protecting species such as dolphins, turtles, dugongs,
and sharks in the pristine waters of the Red Sea.
In collaboration with the King Abdullah University of Science and
Technology (KAUST), researchers are employing artificial
intelligence and drone technology to analyze habitats and track marine species.
This partnership — through the KAUST
Beacon Development environmental consultancy — supports the creation
of the world’s most extensive coral garden within NEOM’s marine zone.
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Mishari Alghurair, NEOM’s marine species
conservation manager, leads efforts to protect key coastal and island species
through satellite tracking, conservation planning, and artificial habitat
creation.
“One of our major breakthroughs has been
installing artificial nesting platforms for sooty falcons and ospreys,”
Alghurair shared. “These structures have boosted nesting success and helped
populations recover where natural habitats were declining.”
For Alghurair, this work is deeply personal.
“I grew up visiting the Red Sea with
my family. Those experiences instilled a lifelong respect for our environment.
Now, it’s about transforming that pride into meaningful action — protecting
species and building a future of ecological resilience.”
Building a legacy of environmental excellence
With its bold goals and innovative methods,
NEOM Nature Reserve is redefining conservation in Saudi Arabia and beyond. By
blending advanced science with traditional stewardship, it stands as a
cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 sustainability objectives,
demonstrating that development and nature can thrive together.
Every
tree planted, every animal released, and every ecosystem restored contributes
to a larger vision — a thriving, self-sustaining natural legacy for generations
to come.
Source: Arab News
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