Uruq Bani Ma'arid Protected Area: A Journey Through the Heart of the Empty Quarter Desert

Nestled on the western edge of Ar Rub' al-Khali (Empty Quarter) desert, where the Tuwaiq plateau meets the vast sand dunes, lies the Uruq Bani Ma'arid protected area, home to iconic desert wildlife.

 This extensive area, spanning an estimated 12,765 square kilometers and located 200 kilometers north of Najran, is globally renowned for the reintroduction of extraordinary desert animals, including the Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica).

 In a recent Saudi Press Agency tour of the reserve, General Manager of Protected Areas at the National Center for Wildlife Abdullah Altalasat emphasized the center's efforts in establishing and managing protected areas across the Kingdom. These efforts played a crucial role in the inclusion of the Uruq Bani Ma'arid on the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking the Kingdom's first natural World Heritage Site and the country's commitment to environmental protection in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

 Manager of the Uruq Bani Ma'arid protected area Hamad Al Qahtani highlighted the area's exceptional biodiversity, with over 930 recorded species of animals and plants. The reserve is globally recognized for its plant richness, boasting 121 recorded species, making it the most diverse region within the Empty Quarter.

 The Uruq Bani Ma'arid protected area is also home to a diverse array of reptiles and invertebrates, including 664 recorded invertebrate species.