萝莉视频

Safeguarding 萝莉视频鈥檚 precious forests

Safeguarding 萝莉视频鈥檚 precious forests

Safeguarding 萝莉视频鈥檚 precious forests
Saudi forest ranger at work at a mountain observation post in Soudah, Asir region. (SGI photo)
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Forests in 萝莉视频 are cornerstones of ecological stability, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and food security.

Under the Saudi Green Initiative and the long-term pursuit of planting 10 billion trees and restoring 40 million hectares of degraded lands, 萝莉视频 is achieving remarkable progress, drawing on rigorous research, dynamic collaborations and effective field implementation.

The General Directorate of Forests alone has successfully planted more than 3.5 million trees across diverse ecosystems, from mountains to valleys and coastal zones, bolstering carbon sequestration and strengthening the Kingdom鈥檚 natural defenses against desertification and land degradation.

Equally significant is the identification of more than 645 sites classified as forest lands, which we are actively protecting and rehabilitating to safeguard genetic diversity and conserve invaluable wildlife habitats.

Alongside these field efforts, the National Forest Inventory of 萝莉视频 represents a pivotal step toward a comprehensive understanding of the Saudi forests.

By systematically surveying and classifying forest lands and analyzing their vegetation cover, this project will enable more precise planning and informed decision-making for forest conservation and sustainable development.

These integrated measures exemplify the Kingdom鈥檚 commitment to sustainable forest management, balancing ecological imperatives with socioeconomic needs.

Eduardo Mansur

Our strategic forest plan guides these achievements. We act to establish protective boundaries, install educational signage and deploy advanced monitoring systems to prevent illegal logging, wildfires and other environmental threats.

We also have a specific program to involve local communities in the conservation and sustainable management of forests, generating ecosystem services and sustainable non-wood forest products such as honey and aromatic plants.

These integrated measures exemplify the Kingdom鈥檚 commitment to sustainable forest management, balancing ecological imperatives with socioeconomic needs.

Looking ahead, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification will continue to build on best practices through a multifaceted approach that includes restoring and safeguarding forests in mountainous regions, valleys and mangroves.

By expanding greening efforts, reinforcing forest conservation, involving local communities and harnessing cutting-edge research to monitor ecological health, the General Directorate of Forests at the NCVC reaffirms its dedication to maintaining 萝莉视频鈥檚 forests as vital pillars of environmental balance, biodiversity and sustainable development for current and future generations.

Eduardo Mansur is general manager of 萝莉视频鈥檚 General Directorate of Forests at the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
 

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament

Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament
Updated 8 min 4 sec ago

Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament

Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament

RIYADH: The speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, received his counterpart from the Arab Parliament, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi, during the 19th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.

During the meeting in Jakarta, the two reviewed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy carried out through active participation in regional and international conferences and forums.

They also discussed strengthening the mechanisms of joint Arab parliamentary action to serve Arab issues, as well as other topics of common interest.


What We Are Reading Today: Ocean

What We Are Reading Today: Ocean
Updated 11 min 8 sec ago

What We Are Reading Today: Ocean

What We Are Reading Today: Ocean

Authors: David Attenborough, Colin Butfield

Drawing a course across David Attenborough鈥檚 own lifetime, Ocean takes readers through eight unique ocean habitats, through countless intriguing species, and through the most astounding discoveries of the last 100 years, to a future vision of a fully restored marine world, even richer and more spectacular than we could possibly hope.
Ocean reveals the past, present and potential future of our blue planet.


Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns

Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns
Updated 10 min 50 sec ago

Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns

Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns
  • The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa鈥檚 oldest, has in the past drawn thousands of pilgrims from Europe, Israel and beyond
  • This year鈥檚 activities were restricted to indoor events at the place of worship

DJERBA, Tunisia: Only about 30 people turned up Thursday at this year鈥檚 Jewish pilgrimage on Tunisia鈥檚 island of Djerba amid safety concerns following a deadly 2023 attack and as the war in Gaza rages on.

The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa鈥檚 oldest, has in the past drawn thousands of pilgrims from Europe, Israel and beyond, attracting international and local tourists as well.

But after a 2023 deadly attack on the synagogue that killed two worshippers and three police officers, fewer pilgrims have been turning out to make the pilgrimage.

鈥淚t has been difficult for people to come, given what鈥檚 happening in the world,鈥 Rene Trabelsi, the event organizer, told AFP.

鈥淭he pilgrimage has gone through many difficult periods in its history,鈥 he said.

This year鈥檚 activities were restricted to indoor events at the place of worship.

鈥淚n 30 years, I have never seen the Ghriba synagogue so empty,鈥 said Khoudhir Hanya, the synagogue鈥檚 manager.

鈥淯sually even a week beforehand, pilgrims begin to arrive 鈥 sometimes up to 1,000 people.鈥
Earlier this month, a knife attack injured a local Jewish jeweller, but Trabelsi said it was unclear whether it was motivated by anti-Semitism, as authorities have not provided further details.

The pilgrimage is at the heart of Jewish tradition in Tunisia, where only about 1,500 members of the faith still live 鈥 mainly on Djerba. Many have left for Israel and France.

Organizers say more than 5,000 people, mostly from abroad, attended the pilgrimage in 2023, whereas up to 8,000 pilgrims had attended in previous years.

Security at the synagogue had already been tightened after previous attacks.

A suicide truck bombing in 2002, claimed by Al-Qaeda, killed 21 at the synagogue, and another attack in 1985 killed four worshippers and a police officer.


Pakistan offers lowest-cost Hajj package under government scheme globally, says official

Pakistan offers lowest-cost Hajj package under government scheme globally, says official
Updated 14 min 20 sec ago

Pakistan offers lowest-cost Hajj package under government scheme globally, says official

Pakistan offers lowest-cost Hajj package under government scheme globally, says official
  • Nearly 89,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj under government scheme this year
  • Pakistan has set cost of long Hajj package at Rs1,075,000 ($3,854), Rs1,150,000 ($4,122) for short one

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan鈥檚 Director General Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro said on Thursday that Islamabad is offering its citizens the lowest-cost Hajj package globally, vowing that authorities have aimed to prioritize pilgrims鈥 comfort, safety and spiritual fulfillment for this year鈥檚 pilgrimage.

Pakistan this year introduced a shortened Hajj program of 20 to 25 days to make the pilgrimage more convenient and accessible, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said earlier this year. It set the cost at around Rs1,075,000 ($3,854) for the long Hajj package and Rs1,150,000 ($4,122) for the short Hajj package, as shorter stays often incur higher airfare, premium accommodation rates, and expedited transport services, which drive up overall costs.

In a statement issued from Makkah, Soomro said the government鈥檚 Hajj Scheme for 88,380 pilgrims is being elevated to 鈥渦nprecedented heights鈥 to ensure a seamless and spiritually enriching pilgrimage, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.

鈥淗ighlighting the key initiatives, he [Soomro] said our scheme offers the lowest-cost Hajj package globally,鈥 Radio Pakistan said. 鈥淧ilgrims are now given the option to choose between single, double, or triple-bed rooms at an additional cost.鈥

The official said that due to the non-uniform nature of Makkah鈥檚 buildings, accommodations are allocated to Pakistani pilgrims based on pilgrim profiling to ensure optimal convenience.

He said Pakistan鈥檚 health care network, in collaboration with the Saudi German Hospital and other leading medical institutions, ensures 24/7 emergency care.

鈥淭he DG Hajj said such innovative measures and enhancements demonstrate a strong commitment to facilitating Hajj with maximum convenience at minimal cost,鈥 the statement added.

This year鈥檚 Hajj will take place in June, with over 23,620 Pakistanis expected to perform the pilgrimage through private tour operators.


King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates

King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates
Updated 15 min 31 sec ago

King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates

King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language held a ceremony in Riyadh recently to celebrate the graduation of the second group of non-native speakers from the Abjad Center.

A total of 168 male and female students were honored after fulfilling all the program鈥檚 requirements, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the academy, said the Abjad Center offers a learning experience designed to equip non-native speakers with strong and effective communication skills.

Al-Washmi added that the program reflects the refinement of the academy鈥檚 educational model, reinforcing its role as a leading scientific authority on the Arabic language.

The initiative amplifies the academy鈥檚 educational and cultural impact in line with the objectives of the nation鈥檚 Human Capability Development Program, he said.