The vast deserts of Saudi Arabia, among the largest in the world, present an enduring challenge: the relentless migration of sand. For farmers striving to boost agricultural productivity and communities hoping for a prosperous future, this natural phenomenon has long been a foe. Nowhere is this struggle more evident than in the Al Ahsa oasis, one of the country’s most fertile and productive regions, under constant threat from advancing sand dunes.
Al Ahsa’s rich history and cultural significance are overshadowed by an environmental crisis. Sand dunes, some towering as high as 15 meters, have engulfed at least nine nearby villages, forcing many to dig out their homes and farms. Others remain buried beneath the golden tides, lost to time and nature’s unyielding power.
Desertification in Saudi Arabia isn’t a new phenomenon, but climate change has amplified its urgency. Rising temperatures and decreasing soil moisture leave the sand drier and more prone to movement. The oil giant Aramco has long used mechanical methods to safeguard infrastructure in the eastern desert, but these solutions are costly and unsustainable.
In response, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in partnership with the Saudi government, has pioneered innovative, cost-effective methods to combat desertification.
The FAO is trialing barriers made from palm fronds a natural byproduct often discarded or burned. These barriers, arranged in checkerboard or linear patterns, act as sandbreaks. Depending on the design and height (ranging from 10 cm to one meter), they slow the wind’s speed and alter sand flow, offering critical protection to farmland and infrastructure.
Not only do these barriers reduce sand encroachment, but they also promote the growth of natural vegetation, laying the groundwork for reforestation and ecological recovery. By repurposing palm fronds, this method also reduces carbon emissions, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.
Weather stations, installed as part of the FAO initiative, measure sand movement patterns. By analyzing factors like wind speed, humidity, and temperature, experts can predict sand encroachments and take targeted preventive action.
Collaboration lies at the heart of this initiative. By partnering with local organizations like the Green Environment Society, the FAO ensures that communities are empowered to construct and maintain these barriers. This approach strengthens bonds between governmental institutions, NGOs, and local residents, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
Mona Dawelbait of the FAO captures the essence of this struggle: “In Al Ahsa, concerns about land degradation are real, but together we can turn these challenges into opportunities.”
Saudi Arabia’s desert communities, marked by resilience and determination, embody the spirit needed to combat desertification. While the winds of change may carry sand across the land, they also carry hope—hope for a future where innovation and unity triumph over nature’s adversities.
