DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Uruq Bani Ma’arid Reserve has officially been added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List, it was announced on Wednesday.
This marks the Kingdom’s first UNESCO Natural Heritage Site on the list.
This momentous decision was revealed by Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud, the Saudi Minister of Culture, during the extended 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which took place in Riyadh from September 10 to 25.
In a released statement, the Minister of Culture expressed, “The inclusion of the Reserve on the UNESCO World Heritage List as Saudi Arabia’s first Natural Heritage Site serves to emphasize the global significance of our natural heritage and underscores the exceptional value of the Uruq Bani Ma’arid Reserve.”
Located along the western fringes of Ar-Rub al-Khali, famously known as The Empty Quarter, the Uruq Bani Ma’arid Reserve is gaining recognition for its distinctive landscapes, diverse wildlife, and offerings in eco-tourism. Spanning an impressive area exceeding 12,750 square kilometers, it stands as the primary sand desert within tropical Asia and holds the distinction of being the largest continuous sand sea on the planet.
The reserve serves as a living testament to the environmental and biological evolution of Saudi Arabia’s flora and fauna. It provides crucial natural habitats that support the survival of over 120 indigenous plant species and safeguard endangered species that endure harsh conditions, including gazelles and the world’s only free-ranging herd of Arabian Oryx.
The inscription of the Uruq Bani Ma’arid Reserve on the UNESCO list brings the total count of Saudi UNESCO sites to seven, joining the esteemed ranks of Al-Ahsa Oasis, Al-Hijr Archaeological Site, At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah, Ḥimā Cultural Area, Historic Jeddah, and Rock Art in the Hail Region.”
