NCVC Introduces Grazing Permits for Designated Lands
The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the principalities of Jazan, Al-Baha, Aseer, and Makkah regions and relevant stakeholders and the local community, launched an initiative to allow continued grazing in natural rangelands and forest areas across several regions of Saudi Arabia.
As part of the initiative, local communities, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and volunteers will be engaged in pruning dry branches of Juniperus procera (juniper trees) in the regions of Makkah, Aseer, and Al-Baha.
NCVC called on livestock breeders in Makkah, Taif, Maysan, and Al Ardiyat in Makkah Region, the principalities of Al-Mandaq, Bani Hassan, and Baljurashi in Al-Baha Region, and the regions of Jazan and Aseer to benefit from the initiative. It is part of broader efforts to preserve the environment and support the development of natural rangelands.
The initiative aims to enable the sustainable use of natural forage plants, thereby helping meet the nutritional needs of the livestock sector in the Kingdom, enhancing the sustainability of rangelands, and protecting wildlife habitats and biodiversity. It also seeks to strike a balance between utilizing natural resources and conserving the environment.
Regulating grazing practices plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy vegetation cover by preventing overgrazing, which can lead to land degradation, soil erosion, and a decline in plant diversity. It also helps restore degraded rangelands, boosts productivity, strengthens the livestock sector, and contributes to national food security.
NCVC is committed to restoring, protecting, and sustainably managing vegetation cover across Saudi Arabia. Its responsibilities include rehabilitating degraded ecosystems; preserving biodiversity; overseeing rangelands, forests, and national parks; detecting and addressing encroachments; combating illegal logging; and safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s natural resources.
