King Abdulaziz Reserve Launches Strategy to Enhance Its Environmental, Tourism Status

King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has announced the launch of its new strategy, outlining key pillars and objectives aimed at positioning the reserve as a global leader in environmental preservation and cultural heritage while promoting sustainable eco-tourism in alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
 The new strategy is built on four main pillars: biodiversity conservation, reviving cultural and historical heritage, community engagement in environmental initiatives, and providing sustainable eco-tourism experiences.
 Plans include expanding protection for vital habitats, improving vegetation cover, and supporting local communities through job creation and awareness activities.
 Launching this strategy follows the reserve's recent inclusion in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Green List, enhancing its local and global standing. This recognition reflects the reserve's commitment to international governance and sustainable management standards, paving the way for collaboration with global environmental organizations.
 The strategy will be implemented in phased plans between 2025 and 2030. In the context of biodiversity conservation, the reserve aims to increase protected habitat coverage from 1% to 100%, expand rehabilitated vegetation cover from 700 hectares to 60,000 hectares, and reintroduce endangered wildlife species to bolster biodiversity and protect natural ecosystems, aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.
 Efforts to revive cultural heritage include rehabilitating and protecting heritage sites, establishing historical and cultural centres to showcase the area's rich history, and connecting it with its surrounding natural environment. The strategy also highlights community engagement by providing economic opportunities for local communities through education, training, and environmental programs. It aims to create 300 direct and indirect jobs and increase the number of volunteers to 2,000.
 In addition, the strategy seeks to enhance sustainable eco-tourism by developing tourism experiences aligned with environmental protection standards. This aspect aims to attract 400,000 visitors annually by 2030. It also includes establishing 780 accommodation units in key development zones within the reserve and offering 20 eco-tourism activities tailored to visitor needs while preserving nature.