Sand encroachment is a persistent environmental challenge in Saudi Arabia, due to its desert nature and the extension of its roads through areas that experience sandstorms throughout the year.

This phenomenon affects the road network and farms, prompting relevant authorities to develop an integrated system of scientific and field efforts to confront it and mitigate its effects.

What does the General Administration for Combating Desertification do to contain the phenomenon?

Related news

The General Administration for Combating Desertification is responsible for monitoring and assessing desertification and mitigating its severity, in addition to following up on land degradation, sand encroachment, and drought, without neglecting public awareness and education. The administration conducts an inventory and classification of desertified lands and periodically assesses their condition, as well as preparing national reports required by international and regional agreements related to combating desertification and sand encroachment. The administration has completed a comprehensive survey of the Kingdom's lands using remote sensing technologies, enabling it to identify sand dune locations, wind corridors, and potential encroachment distances, according to SPA. Based on this survey, field and verification works have been launched covering multiple administrative regions, as part of a comprehensive national strategy to combat desertification and dust storms and mitigate drought.

How does the Ministry of Transport address sand encroachment on roads?

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics adopts two main methods to confront sand encroachment: the first is mechanical, which involves deploying equipment in critical locations and monitoring roads during sandstorms, removing sand and securing sites with safety measures until work is completed. The second method relies on environmental solutions, through an initiative to plant trees along roadsides vulnerable to encroachment, including the Airport Road in the Eastern Province, where five rows of trees were planted over 6 kilometers, and an external fence was erected to protect young plants from camels and sand encroachment.

What does the 'Let's Make It Green' campaign achieve on the Dammam-Riyadh road?

The 'Let's Make It Green' campaign combines the efforts of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and the National Center for Vegetation Development, serving the goals of Vision 2030 in environmental protection. The campaign was launched on the Dammam-Riyadh highway; the first phase included laying modern irrigation networks over 2 kilometers, planting 500 trees, and installing four water tanks with a capacity of 100,000 cubic meters along with their pumps.

The second phase repeated the same scope of planting and equipment, with the addition of four side windbreaks to stop sand encroachment, while selecting trees that tolerate irrigation water salinity and suit the desert environment. The third phase of the campaign aims to expand the afforestation area by planting trees and shrubs in their natural locations, seeking to enhance the National Center's image through its efforts in combating desertification, and involving citizens in afforestation activities to support the targets of the Saudi Green Initiative and consolidate the path of sustainable environmental development.