Rawdat Khuraim
Rawdat Khuraim is one of the parks and is part of a series of fertile meadows and basins rich in vegetation in the central Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Rawdat Khuraim location
Rawdat Khuraim enjoys a distinguished natural location and is considered one of the most botanically diverse meadows, especially in terms of grazing plants. It is located northeast of Riyadh, about one hundred km away. The site is a depression that extends southward in an easterly direction for eighteen km in length and 2.5 km in width. Three valleys flow into it from the east, while to its northeast lies a sand dune called ‘Irq Faydat Khuraim, described as one of the sand ridges of ad-Dahna' Desert.
Imam Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Royal Reserve
Rawdat Khuraim is known for its protected area, Rawdat Khuraim Reserve, renowned for its green nature. It is located near the Ghaylanah Center on the southwestern edge of ad-Dahna' Desert, and is rich in perennial trees and seasonal vegetation.
The reserve initially spanned forty-five km² before it was designated as a Royal Reserve, and the Royal Reserves Council was established, expanding its area to over 11,300 km². Several watercourses flow through it, including Shuaib Al-Touki, and it is crossed by various valleys such as Khawish, Thilan, and Al-Thumamah.
As part of Saudi Vision 2030’s commitment to preserving and protecting the environment, royal nature reserves were established under the supervision of the Royal Reserves Council in 2018 to conserve plant and animal species and serve as a living genetic reservoir for endemic, vulnerable, and endangered species. Among these reserves is the Imam Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Royal Reserve.
Imam Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Royal Reserve includes Rawdat Khuraim, located to the northeast of Riyadh City in the southwestern part of ad-Dahna' Desert. Rawdat Khuraim encompasses Rawdat Khuraim, Ghilana Center, Kasr Al-Muzayri’, and the surrounding areas. It is characterized by an abundance of wildlife, diverse vegetation cover, geological formations, historical significance, proximity to Riyadh, and ease of access, in addition to the presence of residential settlements within the reserve’s boundaries.
Vegetation cover in Rawdat Khuraim
The biodiversity of Rawdat Khuraim is not limited to its ecosystem of wildlife alone, but also extends to the abundance and diversity of its vegetation cover. The number of native plant species in Rawdat Khuraim Protected Area is estimated at approximately 132 species, including protected plant species such as Calligonum comosum, Sidr, Acacia ehrenbergiana, Acacia gerrardii, Calotropis procera, Lycium shawii, Panicum turgidum, Haloxylon salicornicum, Boerhavia elegans, Artemisia spp, Achillea fragrantissima, Malva parviflora, Lepidium sativum, Indigofera spinosa, Reichardia tingitana, Stipagrostis plumosa, Rumex vesicarius, Cistanche tubulosa, Cynomorium coccineum, Anastatica hierochuntica, and Plantago spp.
Sources
Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Imam Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority.
Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture.