Sustainable grazing in Saudi Arabia: 2.4 million hectares to support the environment
The National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification in Saudi Arabia has announced the opening of applications for grazing permits in 84 natural rangeland sites, covering a total area exceeding 2.4 million hectares. This significant step is part of national efforts to regulate grazing practices and ensure their sustainability, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. This announcement marks a turning point in natural resource management through the application of sustainable grazing to protect the environment and support the local economy.
A new vision for an old legacy: Towards regulating sustainable grazing
Historically, grazing has been an integral part of the cultural and economic fabric of the Arabian Peninsula, where for centuries the population has relied on natural pastures to support their livestock, a primary source of food and income. However, climate change, urbanization, and overgrazing practices in recent decades have led to the degradation of vast areas of vegetation cover, accelerating desertification and threatening ecological balance. In response to these challenges, the National Center for Grazing Regulation's efforts are a necessary countermeasure, transforming traditional practices into a scientifically managed system that ensures the long-term sustainability of rangelands and their ability to support wildlife and livestock.
A strategic step within the Saudi Green Initiative
This initiative is inseparable from the broader framework of the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to rehabilitate degraded lands and plant billions of trees to combat climate change and improve quality of life. Designating these sites for regulated and sustainable grazing is a practical application of these goals, giving vegetation a chance to recover and flourish. Sound rangeland management not only preserves biodiversity but also enhances the soil's capacity to absorb carbon and store water, making it a natural defense against drought and desertification. This step, therefore, reflects the Kingdom's commitment to achieving environmental sustainability both domestically and internationally.
Economic and environmental dimensions of rangeland regulation
The impact of this initiative extends beyond the environmental aspect, encompassing significant economic and social dimensions. Economically, sustainable grazing ensures the continuity of the livestock sector, upon which thousands of herders depend, thus enhancing national food security and reducing reliance on imported feed. Socially, it supports local pastoral communities and preserves a traditional way of life while equipping them with modern sustainability tools. The center clarified that the permitting process is conducted electronically through the “Nabat” platform, facilitating compliance with regulations and instructions that ensure a balance between livestock numbers and the grazing capacity of approved sites.
