Increased rainfall in certain regions in Saudi Arabia has led to remarkable vegetation growth. (NCVC photo)
By Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: Parts of Saudi Arabia have become noticeably greener in recent years, reflecting a gradual improvement in vegetation cover across several regions. While this shift does not indicate a permanent transformation into forested land, it highlights a measurable environmental change driven by both natural and human factors.
The development can be attributed to multiple causes. Among the most significant were the unusually wet seasons between 2018 and 2024, which triggered substantial bursts of natural vegetation. Seasonal rainfall played a key role in revitalizing arid landscapes, allowing plant life to flourish in areas that are typically dry.
Another major contributor has been government-led restoration efforts under the Saudi Green Initiative, alongside expanded agricultural irrigation projects. These programs aim to rehabilitate degraded land, increase green coverage, and combat desertification across the Kingdom.
Despite these improvements, Saudi Arabia’s arid climate continues to present challenges. Vegetation growth remains largely seasonal, often emerging after periods of heavy rainfall and receding during prolonged dry and hot conditions. This underscores the temporary nature of much of the natural greening observed.
Nevertheless, the positive impact of these changes is evident. Increased rainfall in certain regions has led to remarkable vegetation growth, as confirmed by satellite monitoring conducted by Saudi authorities. Areas such as Makkah and Madinah have witnessed particularly significant transformations.
For instance, Madinah region recorded a 360 percent increase in vegetation cover between mid and late 2023, following higher rainfall levels. According to the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, green coverage expanded from 2,863 square kilometers to 13,194.5 square kilometers, rising from 1.9 percent to 8.7 percent of the region’s total land area.
Similarly, the Makkah region experienced an even more dramatic surge, with vegetation cover increasing by approximately 600 percent during the same period. Some areas received up to 200 millimeters of rainfall, enabling vegetated land to expand from around 3,529 square kilometers to more than 26,000 square kilometers.
In addition to natural rainfall, sustainability initiatives have played a critical role. Launched in 2021, the Saudi Green Initiative aims to plant 10 billion trees over the coming decades, restore degraded ecosystems, expand protected areas, and address the challenges of desertification.
Reports indicate that more than 1 million hectares of degraded land have already been restored, with over 159 million trees planted as part of the program. These efforts represent a long-term strategy to enhance environmental resilience and improve ecological balance.
It is important, however, to distinguish between natural greening and structured restoration. Natural greening typically follows rainfall events and is often temporary, whereas restoration projects are designed to deliver sustainable, long-term vegetation growth.
Research conducted at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has further demonstrated that managed vegetation and restoration initiatives can influence local climates. Using satellite data, researchers found that such efforts can reduce surface temperatures and create cooler microclimates.
Overall, evidence suggests that Saudi Arabia is in fact becoming greener, supported by satellite imagery showing increased vegetation following rainy seasons, as well as the implementation of ambitious national restoration projects.
However, it is worth noting that approximately 95 percent of the Kingdom’s land remains desert. Large-scale greening in arid regions requires substantial water resources, making long-term sustainability a continuing challenge for the country.