Saudi Arabia Hosts Hima Forum to Establish Resilient Conservation Zones

The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) in Saudi Arabia organized the inaugural Hima protected areas forum in Riyadh from April 21 to 24, 2024. The forum brought together local and international experts to discuss strategies for establishing resilient conservation zones that can transform communities and safeguard the environment.

The event featured participation from various official entities and projects, including NEOM, Red Sea Global, Catmosphere, and the community-led Northern Rangelands Trust organization from Kenya. Experts shared their knowledge and experiences in preserving and protecting Saudi Arabia's nature and wildlife.

The forum highlighted the concept of 'hima,' which refers to protected areas dating back to the pre-Islamic era. Ahmad Al-Bugh, the general manager of terrestrial habitat conservation at the NCW, emphasized the Kingdom's efforts to reintroduce endangered native species to their natural habitats across the country.

Paul Marshall, the head of the NEOM Nature Reserve, discussed the measures NEOM is taking to ensure the success of its greening program while acknowledging potential ecological concerns. Robert Muir, the technical adviser for the operationalization of protected areas at the NCW, provided advice on ensuring the success of wildlife recovery efforts, stressing the importance of animal protection and safeguarding relocation sites.

Why this matters: The Hima Forum constitutes a meaningful step in Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. By bringing together experts and stakeholders, the forum aims to establish a framework for creating resilient conservation zones that can benefit both wildlife and local communities.

The minister of environment, water, and agriculture and chairman of the NCW, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, officially launched the Hima Forum as part of the National Center's efforts to save the environment for future generations. The event also celebrated the screening of the documentary 'Horizon,' which explores the unique habitats and ecological treasures of Saudi Arabia.

Key Takeaways

• Saudi Arabia hosted the inaugural Hima protected areas forum in Riyadh in 2024.
• The forum brought together experts to discuss strategies for establishing conservation zones.
• The Kingdom is working to reintroduce endangered native species to their habitats.
• NEOM's greening program and wildlife recovery efforts were discussed at the forum.
• The Hima Forum showcased Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.