Jazan Region Home to 566 Native Plant Species, NCVC Says
Jazan Region is home to 566 native plant species, accounting for 24.74% of the Kingdom's plant diversity, according to the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC). The center reported a clear improvement in the region's vegetation, rangelands, and forests.
The species include 377 herbs, 86 shrubs, 49 trees, and 54 sub-shrubs across more than 113,200 hectares at 113 sites. They include seven endemic, 12 rare, and 22 invasive species. The region spans three ecological zones with 23 dominant plant communities. Native plants are well adapted to the climate and require far less water than introduced species, the center said.
About 27.9 million trees have been planted in Jazan in cooperation with partners of the National Greening Program, exceeding the program's 2030 target of 17.5 million trees for the region. Forests now cover more than 267,200 hectares, or 19.9% of the region's area. One million native seedlings have been planted to sustain forests, while more than 2.8 million mangrove seedlings have been produced and planted in the Farasan Islands and along the southern Red Sea coast.
To restore rangelands, the center has introduced grazing management measures, including set grazing periods, designated grazing areas, and protected zones, across 2,014 hectares of Al-Khabari rangelands and at three other sites. It has also assessed 11 rangeland sites covering more than 8,700 hectares, identifying priority sites and grazing capacity.
The region's 22 national parks, covering 26,221.56 hectares, have been upgraded with operating models, a unified visual identity, and signage. Wadi Lajab National Park in Al-Raith Governorate is also planned for development. Seasonal investment opportunities are available at 21 sites.
Since 2025, 121 volunteer planting opportunities have attracted more than 3,000 volunteers, who have planted more than 104,000 trees with an economic value exceeding SAR208,000. The center's initiatives in Jazan support the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.
