Buqayq Municipality plants 173,000 seedlings as part of the "Our Eastern Province is Green" initiative

As part of ongoing efforts to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 related to quality of life and environmental sustainability, the Municipality of Buqayq Governorate revealed the implementation of a package of intensive field work during the 2025 planting season. These efforts included planting more than 173,000 diverse seedlings, in a strategic step aimed at improving the urban landscape and combating desertification, in line with major national trends and the “Our Eastern Province is Green” initiative.

Project details and plant species

The fieldwork carried out by specialized teams included planting 3,500 carefully selected trees, in addition to planting 170,000 seasonal flowers, which have added a distinctive aesthetic touch to the governorate's streets, public parks, and flowerbeds. The mayor, Engineer Mohammed Al-Dhafeeri, explained that the selection of plant varieties was not arbitrary, but rather subject to precise scientific criteria focusing on environmental efficiency and the ability to adapt to the region's climate.

The list of planted trees included species known for their ability to withstand high temperatures and provide shade, such as neem, ficus-like trees, cassia glauca, fig trees, poinciana, bougainvillea, and jatropha. These species play a vital role in purifying the air and reducing carbon emissions, which is crucial in industrial and dynamic cities like Abqaiq.

Strategic context and environmental impact

These steps take on added significance when viewed within the context of the Saudi Green Initiative , which aims to plant 10 billion trees across the Kingdom in the coming decades. Increasing green spaces in the Buqayq Governorate will not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but will also improve the local climate, lower temperatures, and protect the soil from erosion, thereby boosting public health and creating a more attractive environment for living and investment.

Comprehensive maintenance to ensure sustainability

In parallel with the tree-planting campaigns, the municipality implemented a comprehensive maintenance program for public facilities to ensure their sustainability and the safety of their users. The program included the rehabilitation of 1,700 square meters of children's play areas and the maintenance of 300 square meters of sunshades. Maintenance work also extended to green spaces exceeding 350,000 square meters, reflecting the municipality's commitment to enhancing the operational efficiency of these natural havens, which serve as a refuge for residents and visitors alike.

These field actions confirm the commitment of the municipal sector in the Eastern Province to activating community participation in preserving environmental gains and transforming Saudi cities into green cities that are friendly to people and the environment, which directly contributes to raising the ranking of Saudi cities in global livability indicators.