Red Sea Global (RSG) is on track to plant 50 million mangrove trees by 2030, with the launch of its first mangrove nursery. It is part of RSG’s vision to protect and restore vital habitats for biodiversity, such as coral reefs, palm trees, and wildlife ecosystems.
The mangrove nursery supports the Saudi Green Initiative and RSG’s pledge to conserve and revitalize the Red Sea coast, with a goal of achieving a 30% net conservation benefit by 2040.
“We hold the utmost respect for the environment in which we operate and recognize it as our most valuable asset. It is our shared obligation to not only safeguard it, but also proactively enhance it wherever possible. The successful opening of our Mangrove Nursery is a testament to that unyielding dedication to the preservation and rejuvenation of the Red Sea coastline,” said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global.
“While we will continue to explore novel approaches, embrace cutting-edge methodologies, and utilise innovate technology, often nature already provides the greatest solutions. The power of mangrove forests to store carbon, to manage flooding and stabilize coastlines, and to provide shelter for fish and other organisms, makes them one of nature’s super ecosystems. Our Mangrove Nursery will increase numbers of mangroves and boost biodiversity, ensuring we reach the environmental ambitions we have set ourselves,” he added.
The nursery will nurture native mangrove seedlings for eight months until they are ready to be planted in designated mangrove parks within the destination. RSG’s experts selected native mangrove species, such as the Rhizophora Mucronate (red mangrove) and the Avicenna Marina (gray mangrove), to increase their survival rate.
“The establishment of a sustainable mangrove ecosystem is a key part of our commitment to protect and enhance the natural environment of our destination. These trees are among the most efficient tools we have for carbon sequestration, with the capacity to absorb up to 5-10 times more carbon than other plants. Coupled with the positive impact on biodiversity, the successful cultivation of seedlings forms a central pillar in our ambition to achieve a 30 percent net conservation benefit across our destinations. I speak for the entire team when I express my pride in reaching this milestone moment for our organization,” said Raed Albasseet, Group Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer at RSG.
Mangrove nurseries face many dangers in their habitats, such as storms, high tides, animals, and algae. The staff of RSG have taken what they describe as “the best steps to protect the nursery and keep the seedlings safe”.
The mangrove parks will also welcome guests who want to discover and understand the value of mangroves in nature.
“The process of the cultivation and transplantation of mangrove trees is highly technical requiring significant planning and proficiency. Since mangrove forests require water to survive, nurseries are typically located near a source of water within the intertidal zone to ensure the optimal growth of the seedlings. We need to carefully track the tide cycles to find periods of low tide in addition to consistently monitoring the weather to avoid windy days,” said Tarik Alabbasi, Environmental Programs Director at RSG.
RSG recently released findings from its latest Wildlife and Ecosystem Study. This builds on results of the largest ever environmental baseline survey completed by a developer released last year, covering 250 km of coastline across The Red Sea and Amaala destination areas.
Goal 100-million new mangroves for KSA
The Red Sea project is part of a broader national scheme to plant 100 million mangrove trees along its coasts in the coming years, as part of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) reported that it has already planted over 6 million mangrove seedlings on the shores of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, with Jazan region receiving the largest number of 3.3 million seedlings.
The NCVC’s mission is to protect, develop, maintain and conserve vegetation sites in Saudi Arabia, and to overcome the challenges they face. It also works to prevent encroachments and overgrazing, preserve natural resources and biodiversity, and support the goals of the SGI.
