Rafha: The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is breathing new life into northeastern Saudi Arabia. In line with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, the reserve is returning to its natural splendor and witnesses a return of wildlife populations.
An ambitious project focused on reintroducing and increasing the numbers of iconic species, like the Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, Houbara bustard, and red-necked ostrich. The flourishing vegetation cover has become a haven for a diverse range of birds, which are vital to preserving the balance of the ecosystem by controlling insects, small rodents, and carrion.
Bird-nesting activity has been observed, alongside a return of sand cats, wild cats, foxes, honey badgers, and desert hedgehogs.
The reserve is also seeing a resurgence of reptiles like lizards and snakes, alongside a thriving insect population.
Covering a vast 91,500 square kilometers, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is a treasure trove of biodiversity. It boasts unique varieties of pla
nt, including large trees, shrubs, and a year-round perennial plant cover. The reserve even harbors a collection of plants with valuable medicinal and aromatic properties.
The large-scale restoration effort is transforming the reserve into a flourishing natural haven, demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s commitment to conserving the environment for future generations.
Source: Saudi Press Agency