Riyadh: From the heart of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's desert, specifically from Shuaib Al-Bida south of the historic town of Linah along the famed Zubaydah Trail, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve has emerged as a pioneering national model balancing nature conservation and sustainable development. In September 2025, the reserve was officially designated under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program, reaffirming the Kingdom's commitment to global efforts to preserve biodiversity and protect environmental and cultural heritage.
According to Saudi Press Agency, in recent years, the reserve has implemented a series of environmental initiatives in the Al-Bida area, including rehabilitating over 41 square kilometers, planting more than 44,000 native trees such as acacia, arta, and Najdi sidr, and removing more than 11,000 tons of waste. Once mature, these trees are expected to absorb about 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually, supporting the Kingdom's sustainability and quality of life goals.
The area also encompasses the historic Al-Bida Station (Al-Thalabiah), one of the Zubaydah Trail stations, featuring more than 120 architectural structures spread across a vast area. These include uniquely engineered water basins, stone wells, and multi-purpose fortresses that reflect the site's rich architectural heritage and its vital role in the history of pilgrimage routes.
The inclusion of the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve in UNESCO's MAB Program underscores the Kingdom's growing leadership in international environmental initiatives and its vision to maintain harmony between humanity and nature while preserving its natural and historical treasures.