https://arab.news/jskkn
An important outcome of 抖阴短视频鈥檚 Vision 2030 is the change it has brought about in terms of lifestyles, while also pursuing its key economic goal of diversifying the economy away from overdependence on oil. Much has been written about the international sporting events, art exhibitions and music concerts that the country now hosts on a regular basis. Going to movies or the theater, which was rare before the vision was adopted in 2015, has become a regular weekend activity.
New outdoor activities are an overlooked part of this change. As the government adopted ambitious programs to reverse desertification, climate change and environmental degradation, vast areas of the country have been designated as natural reserves where only ecologically sound activities are permitted, allowing native fauna and flora to flourish again, including animals that were close to extinction. Ecotourism followed, attracting campers, hikers and trekkers and reviving old towns and hamlets and old arts and crafts.
As part of these efforts, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification was established in 2018 to oversee the management of grazing lands, forests and national parks and to preserve the plant genetic resources and vegetation cover outside the officially designated natural reserves. The 2022 Saudi Green Initiative was an important part of this drive to make the country green again.
Although 抖阴短视频 is known to much of the outside world as one vast desert, its topography is quite diverse. A land area of more than 2 million sq. km makes it one of the largest countries in the world, nine times the size of Britain, for example. It has pine forests and vast grasslands; 3,000-meter-high mountains, deep ravines and fertile valleys; snow-covered peaks in the winter and scorching hot sand deserts in the summer.
Vast areas of the country have been designated as natural reserves where only ecologically sound activities are permitted
Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg
Last September, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council endorsed the nomination of North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark for inclusion in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. If approved at the UNESCO General Conference in March, 抖阴短视频 will officially join the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network for the first time. These two areas are some of the most important geological sites in the country, with a geological diversity that combines ancient formations and breathtaking natural landscapes, reflecting a geological history that spans millions of years.
The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification was instrumental in getting these two sites nominated, while preparing 13 more sites for this designation. Through the concept of geoparks, it has made significant efforts to protect 抖阴短视频鈥檚 natural environment, raising awareness about its geological heritage, protecting natural sites and fostering the development of local communities.
A UNESCO Global Geopark combines an area鈥檚 geological, natural and cultural heritage to raise awareness about the sustainable use of the Earth鈥檚 resources, while mitigating the effects of climate change and stimulating local economies. At present, there are 213 designated geoparks in 48 countries, but only a handful are in the Middle East and North Africa.
Using a bottom-up approach, these geoparks are expected to empower local communities and give them the opportunity to develop cohesive partnerships with the common goal of promoting the area鈥檚 significant geological processes, features, periods of time, historical themes linked to geology or outstanding geological beauty.
The designation process is quite lengthy to ensure these criteria are met and, once achieved, it is not permanent; the area has to be managed and sustained according to UNESCO standards. Otherwise, the geopark could lose its designation.
The geopark designation is part of 抖阴短视频鈥檚 efforts to develop sustainable and ecofriendly tourism and play a key role in global geotourism. It employs an interesting model of sustainable natural resource management that integrates ecotourism with local development, creating job opportunities and providing educational resources for local communities. The model is based on collaboration between the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
One of Vision 2030鈥檚 goals is to reverse negative health trends by encouraging city dwellers to lead a more active lifestyle
Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg
The North Riyadh Geopark covers an area of 3,221 sq. km 鈥� an area roughly equivalent to Bahrain, Comoros and Singapore combined. It is located about 120 km northwest of Riyadh and features historical castles, old towns, ancient ruins, interesting natural escarpment formations, valleys, water pools and desert oases surrounded by sand dunes and fringed by palm trees. One of the geopark鈥檚 main features is the Khashm Al-Hisan (Horse鈥檚 Nose) mountain, with a peak of 996 meters.
By raising awareness of the importance of the area鈥檚 geological heritage, North Riyadh Geopark gives local people a sense of pride in their region. The creation of innovative local enterprises, new jobs and targeted training courses are stimulated as new sources of revenue are generated through geotourism, while the geological resources of the area are protected. The bottom-up process ensures the involvement of relevant local and regional stakeholders and authorities in the area, such as landowners, community groups, tourism providers, local organizations and families.
In addition to government efforts, there have been important private initiatives. In December 2020, a group of outdoorsmen established the Pathways and Hiking Trails Association, known as Darb, which has become 抖阴短视频鈥檚 main hiking organization. Since its inception, Darb has blazed numerous trails and organized hiking outings and trekking expeditions. Together with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification and business sponsors, Darb was instrumental in marking the trail up the Khashm Al-Hisan mountain and making it accessible, although it remains moderately arduous for some people.
Part of the attraction of hiking is health concerns. According to an article in the Saudi Medical Journal, the country ranks 14th worldwide in terms of obesity rates, at 35 percent. It also ranks high in obesity-related diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes. Sedentary lifestyles have contributed to the rise in these rates. One of Vision 2030鈥檚 goals is to reverse these trends by encouraging city dwellers to lead a more active lifestyle.
Reversing climate change, greening the country, improving health and growing non-oil local economies combine in North Riyadh Geopark to make ecotourism an attractive way to achieve Vision 2030鈥檚 goals.
- Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is the Gulf Cooperation Council assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiation. The views expressed here are personal and do not necessarily represent the GCC. X: @abuhamad1