The Northern Borders region of Saudi Arabia is renowned for its plethora of wadis and tributaries, which make it a premier ecotourism destination.
The region’s diverse topography, featuring wadis, plains, and hills, makes it a rich ecological area.
One of the most notable wadis in the area is Wadi Arar, which covers approximately 190 square kilometers and runs along Arar city, named after the wadi and sitting by its banks, which attracts both locals and visitors seeking to revel in its scenic vistas.
Nasser Al-Mujlad, head of the Aman Environmental Association in the Northern Borders, told a Saudi Press Agency reporter that Wadi Arar was once lush with almond trees, acacia, and various other plants, and was home to animals like Arabian oryx, ibex, gazelles, and ostriches.
Wadi Arar holds significance in the works of celebrated Arab poets, like Imru al-Qays.
Historical records show that the Northern Borders region was once called “Al-Awda” (the one with many wadis, in Arabic); poets like Al-Nabighah and A
l-Hutay’ah lived in these wadis.
Recently, a comprehensive plan has been approved to restore and develop Wadi Arar. This initiative targets the protection of the wadi’s elements from pollution, restoration of biodiversity, and promotion of environmental sustainability through controlling pollution, combating desertification, developing the vegetation cover, and utilizing treated water resources efficiently.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
