Planting 700 seedlings in the ancient village of Dhi Ain as part of the Green Saudi Arabia initiative

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in Al-Baha region, represented by its office in Al-Makhwah Governorate, launched a large-scale tree-planting campaign on Wednesday, targeting the planting of 700 saplings in the vicinity of the ancient village of Dhi Ain. This initiative is part of the National Tree Planting Program, stemming from the "Saudi Green Initiative," under the slogan "A Hand Plants, a Land Flourishes," and is part of ongoing efforts to enhance vegetation cover in tourist and heritage sites.

A rich history embracing nature

This initiative is of particular importance given the strategic and historical significance of the ancient village of Dhi Ain in Al-Makhwah. Dating back over 400 years, the village is one of the most important tourist and heritage destinations in Saudi Arabia. It is renowned for its unique stone architecture atop a white mountain, as well as the abundance of water flowing from its famous spring, which irrigates its banana, pandanus, and basil plantations. Planting these seedlings will enhance the village's agricultural identity and preserve its verdant character, which has distinguished it for centuries, thus contributing to the integration of architectural heritage with environmental sustainability.

Community partnership and institutional integration

The initiative witnessed close cooperation between several governmental and non-governmental entities, including the Al-Makhwah Governorate Municipality, Al-Jawa Center, the Dhi Ain Multipurpose Cooperative Society, and the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification. The role of volunteer teams was also prominent, as they actively contributed to the planting operations, reflecting a growing community awareness of the importance of environmental volunteer work. These partnerships aim to unify efforts to achieve a tangible and sustainable impact that positively affects the local environment.

Sustainable environmental and tourism goals

The goals of this campaign are not limited to increasing green spaces, but extend to include strategic dimensions that serve the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The most prominent of these goals are:

• Combating desertification: Effectively contributing to soil stabilization and reducing the effects of dust storms.
• Supporting ecotourism: Improving the visual landscape of archaeological sites to attract more visitors and tourists.
• Environmental sustainability: Preserving biodiversity in the Al-Baha region, which is characterized by its diverse mountainous and coastal nature.

Ongoing commitment to development

Commenting on the initiative, the Director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in Al-Baha region, Engineer Fahd bin Muftah Al-Zahrani, affirmed that planting the 700 seedlings in Dhi Ain is part of a series of integrated environmental programs implemented by the Ministry. Al-Zahrani pointed out that cooperation with governmental and non-governmental entities is a fundamental pillar for achieving the goals of sustainable environmental development, emphasizing the importance of strengthening community participation to ensure the preservation of natural resources for future generations.