Communities in FAO-NCVC Knowledge Base
Select a community to browse its collections.
- This community holds knowledge products related to natural resources management in KSA, with a focus on forests, rangelands, national parks, and combating land desertification. The four areas are of key interest to the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) and are the main themes of the Natural Resources management (NRM) component of the Sustainable Rural Agriculture Development (SRAD) project. SRAD Project is developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA) and is implemented in partnership with NCVC.
- This repository refers to NCVC publications related to the sustainable management of Natural resources. They encompass various forms such as thematic reports, action plans, guidelines, manuals, and policy documents. Guidelines and manuals provide instructions and best practices for conservation, management, or restoration activities, while policy documents outline policies and regulations related to natural resource management.
- This repository contains technical and policy documents related to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the National Greening Program (NGP) in Saudi Arabia. The materials include rehabilitation verification guidelines, field implementation manuals, monitoring methodologies, and progress reports developed to support large-scale afforestation and land restoration activities. These resources provide standardized approaches for assessing planted areas, ensuring compliance with national targets, and supporting evidence-based reporting on vegetation cover development and land rehabilitation efforts across the Kingdom.
- These documents are formal publications, mostly published by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. They encompass a range of materials, including strategies, action plans, and other relevant resources.
- This section entails updates, announcements, and information about recent developments, activities, and events relevant to the natural resources Sector. This section serves as a central hub for users to stay informed about the latest news, initiatives, and opportunities within their field of interest.
Recent Submissions
UN Decae Workshop
(FAO CO Saudi Arabia, 2025-11-19) FAO
North Riyadh Geo-Park in Thadiq Governorate – Management Plan 2024–2028
(FAO KSA, 2024)
This management plan outlines the approach for safeguarding and managing the North Riyadh Geo-Park in Thadiq Governorate according to international standards for protected and conserved areas. It provides a strategic five-year framework (2024–2028) to protect geological, ecological, scenic, and cultural heritage values found within the geo-park, which spans 3,221 km².
The plan emphasizes governance, capacity development, stakeholder engagement, geo-education, biodiversity conservation, and geo-tourism development. It also identifies major management issues, threats, and required interventions. Implementation responsibilities rest with NCVC, the Saudi Geo-Parks Unit, the National Parks Department, and Thadiq National Park management.
Cross-Wadi Walls in Arid Zones in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(FAO KSA, 2025)
This technical report presents the cross-wadi wall technology as a sustainable water- and soil-harvesting solution for arid and hyper-arid environments in Saudi Arabia. The method consists of constructing low dry-stone or partially cemented walls across ephemeral wadis to slow runoff, trap sediments, and enhance groundwater recharge, thereby creating favourable conditions for the establishment of native vegetation.
The technology has been implemented since 2020, particularly in Thadiq National Park and the North Riyadh UNESCO Global Geopark. The report demonstrates its effectiveness in reducing flash-flood impacts, restoring degraded wadis, supporting biodiversity recovery, and contributing to climate-resilient land restoration aligned with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.
Tree Plantation Pits in Arid Zones in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(FAO KSA, 2025)
This technical document presents tree plantation pits as a scientifically proven water-harvesting and vegetation-restoration technology for arid and hyper-arid zones in Saudi Arabia. Developed under the leadership of the National Centre for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), with technical support from FAO through the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development (SRAD) Programme, the method demonstrates how structured runoff capture can restore degraded desert landscapes.
The technique involves excavating rectangular pits along wadis and drainage lines to capture rainfall runoff, sediments, and organic matter. Indigenous tree species such as Vachellia, Ziziphus, and Haloxylon are planted and supported with supplemental irrigation during the establishment phase. The document reports strong survival rates, improved soil moisture, enhanced groundwater recharge, and significant biodiversity and socio-economic benefits, including apiculture and nature-based tourism.
Ecotourism Concept Master Plans and Investment Opportunities for Saudi Arabia National Parks: Study Findings of Al Madinah Al Monawarah and Asir Region National Parks (2018–2019)
(FAO KSA, 2022)
This document presents the consolidated findings of the ecotourism assessment conducted for National Parks in the Al Madinah Al Monawarah and Asir regions during the period 2018–2019. The study applies a structured Ecotourism Rapid Assessment Model (Eco-RAM) at both destination and site levels to evaluate natural environment quality, cultural heritage value, market potential, infrastructure, human capital, and investment readiness.
The results identify National Parks with excellent, good, acceptable, and limited ecotourism potential and define priority sites for ecotourism development. The document further outlines investment opportunities, recommended ecotourism activities, and strategic development concepts aligned with sustainable tourism principles and Saudi Vision 2030.