Lush Vegetation Blankets Aseer’s Highlands

The highlands and villages of Aseer Region have recently witnessed breathtaking scenery following the heavy rainfall that swept through the region, transforming the landscape into a lush expanse of greenery.
 In this diverse terrain, ancient forests and native plant species flourish, including juniper, wild olive, acacia, and mangroves, along with hundreds of other species. These plants account for 80% of the Kingdom’s total forest cover, highlighting the region’s vital ecological role.
 The Imam Faisal bin Turki Royal Reserve, spanning an area of 30,152.7 km² and extending across three administrative regions—Aseer, Makkah, and Jazan—as well as a portion of the Kingdom’s territorial waters, aims to enhance the protection of vegetation, which represents the region’s most significant comparative advantage.
 In recent years, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has classified approximately 229 rare and ancient trees in Aseer, some of which are estimated to be up to 1,400 years old. The inventory revealed that 163 trees require special protection, while the remaining trees are distributed across both public and private lands, as well as remote areas.
 Aseer is also home to vast expanses of wild grasses that flourish in the spring. These grasses are not only used in perfumes and traditional beverages, but also play a role in shaping the vegetation cover of the region’s plateaus.