Riyadh, July (پاکستان پوائنٹ نیوز 27 يوليو 2026ء) These programs have contributed to conserving biodiversity, restoring endangered species, and reinforcing the Kingdom's regional and international standing as one of the leading countries in ecosystem conservation, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and its ambitious environmental initiatives.
Between 2021 and 2025, the NCW focused on building a knowledge base to serve as the foundation for integrated wildlife management by implementing a pioneering exploration program, including the marine “Red Sea Decade Expedition” to explore the Red Sea. The expedition surveyed depths exceeding 2,750 meters and resulted in significant scientific discoveries, most notably blue holes, while enhancing knowledge of the Kingdom's marine ecosystems.
NCW also launched the Decade Land Expedition for Terrestrial Ecosystem Exploration – the first of its kind – to study terrestrial ecosystems and document their biodiversity.
NCW also made significant advances in the scientific monitoring of biodiversity across the Kingdom's terrestrial and marine environments. The number of birds recorded during winter surveys rose to more than 140,000, while 180 important biodiversity areas were reassessed.
Moreover, NCW documented 8,000 invertebrate species and recorded 464 species previously unrecorded in Saudi Arabia, including 86 species new to science, underscoring the Kingdom's rich natural heritage and the growing attention devoted to its conservation.
In research and innovation, NCW strengthened its scientific profile by publishing 82 applied research papers in peer-reviewed journals and assessing hundreds of wildlife species in accordance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria.
These efforts strengthened the national database and contributed to the development of plans and programs to protect species and natural habitats.
NCW also rehabilitated more than 1,742 hectares of degraded habitats within protected areas and 72 marine sites, while documenting 52 of the Kingdom's 65 recorded ecosystem types.
NCW deployed advanced technologies across its field operations, including an integrated system of drones, smart cameras, AI systems, tracking devices, autonomous underwater vehicles, and satellite-based remote sensing systems, enabling it to monitor millions of square kilometers of terrestrial and marine environments.
