On November 4, 2026, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) launched a field initiative in Bisha Governorate, Saudi Arabia, aimed at rehabilitating 60,000 hectares of natural rangeland through seed dispersal and rainwater harvesting.
The project is carried out through NCVC’s Aseer Region branch and is part of this year’s National Afforestation Season, which carries the theme A Generation That Plants for a Thriving Nation. It involves several government agencies, educational institutions, and volunteers working together to disperse seeds of native forage plants, particularly ramth (Acacia raddiana) and arfaj (Prosopis cineraria), as well as other species adapted to the local environment.
Implementation and Techniques
The initiative uses seed‑dispersal methods that seed the target area across 60,000 hectares to encourage natural colonization of vegetation. This includes capturing rainwater in a way that supports young plants, thereby enhancing infiltration and reducing surface runoff that can worsen land degradation.
NCVC plans to increase the density of vegetation cover across these rangelands, an effort that directly addresses the surrounding ecosystem’s resilience. By promoting a higher seeding density, the program seeks to create a self‑sustaining block of native flora that can inhibit the spread of desertification.
Goals and Alignment with National Initiatives
The program aims to rehabilitate natural rangelands, preserve biodiversity, reduce land degradation, and combat desertification. These objectives align closely with the broader goals of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and the country’s Vision 2030, both of which emphasize environmental protection and sustainable land management.
Through the seed‑dispersal effort, NCVC is working to expand green spaces and strengthen community participation in environmental protection. The collaboration between government agencies, schools, and volunteers demonstrates a model of inclusive action that could serve as a template for similar projects across the country.
By focusing on native forage species that are well-adapted to the local climate, the initiative also supports wildlife habitat conservation. That is a key part of the green initiative’s strategy to preserve ecological balance in desert and semi‑arid regions.
Initial assessments from field observations suggest that the seedlings are establishing in areas that previously suffered from erosion and overgrazing. This early success points to a potential reduction in soil loss and improved soil structure in the long term.
Monitoring and evaluation protocols are in place to track vegetation cover changes, biodiversity indicators, and water usage across the rehabilitated rangelands. The data collected will inform future restoration strategies and provide evidence for the effectiveness of seed‑dispersal as a low‑cost, scalable solution to desertification.
NCVC’s initiative has also punctuated the national agenda that aims at turning desertified areas into productive landscapes by 2030, underscoring a commitment to sustainable development. The project therefore plays a practical role in delivering concrete progress toward those aspirations.
Overall, the NCVC seed‑dispersal effort in Bisha Governorate exemplifies how targeted, community‑based environmental actions can contribute to national climate goals. It showcases how native plant restoration, coupled with strategic water management, can reverse land degradation and foster ecosystems that support both human livelihoods and biodiversity over the decades to come.
