In ancient times, Hima meant protected areas reserved for the common good and safeguarded biodiversity for generations.

The HIMA Forum, hosted by the National Centre for Wildlife from April 21 to 24, 2024, marks a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s conservation efforts.

Since 1986, Saudi Arabia has recognized the importance of biodiversity. HIMA is the region’s first dedicated forum for protected areas, blending online sessions with physical workshops in Riyadh.

Themes and Initiatives

• Protected Areas Management: Discussions underscored the need for clear boundaries, effective management, and enhanced connectivity in protected areas. Participants highlighted the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches to managing and monitoring these regions.
• Conservation Strategies: Setting measurable goals for community involvement was considered essential. Notably, the forum mentioned three major initiatives:
  1. Captive breeding programs for species like the Arabian oryx and gazelles
  2. Conservation and rehabilitation efforts for marine and coastal habitats
  3. Expansion of protected areas, with a commitment to cover 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.

Economic Impact and Community Engagement

• Economic Contributions: The forum stressed the immense economic value of global ecosystem services, estimated at twice the global GDP, highlighting the economic rationale behind ecosystem conservation.
• Community engagement: Workshops emphasized community engagement and integrating conservation areas into broader economic development strategies, including ecotourism and heritage tourism tailored to diverse economic levels.

Technological Advances in Conservation

• Technology Integration: A key focus was using drones, remote sensing, AI, and machine learning in conservation, aiming to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in managing protected areas.
• Data Utilization: Advanced tools like SMART conservation software and the IUCN Green List tool were discussed for their potential to improve gap analysis and site assessments.

Recommendations for Future Action

The HIMA Forum set a precedent for future conservation efforts in Saudi Arabia and the region. The forum laid a foundation for sustainable conservation practices that could serve as a model for global biodiversity protection efforts by combining traditional methods with modern technologies and emphasizing community and economic integration.

• Tourism and Accessibility: Proposals were made to ensure that protected areas are accessible to people of all economic backgrounds, suggesting measures like free entry days and local access cards.
• Capacity Building: The need for a training centre specializing in nature-based skills and leadership was identified, to better equip those involved in conservation efforts.