RIYADH, 3 April — A fund-raising event organized by the Saudi Wildlife Fund here on Sunday night generated SR20 million in donations. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd donated SR5 million to the fund, said Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, who chaired the gathering. Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, contributed SR3 million.
The high-profile event was attended by several members of the royal family, high-ranking officials and a number of businessmen. Prince Sultan said the fund’s target of SR100 million to support various environmental projects in the country would be met soon. He announced that similar fund-raising campaigns would be held in different parts of the Kingdom every two years.
Riyadh Governor Prince Salman, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Vice Governor of Riyadh Prince Sattam and Asir Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal were among those present. Prince Sultan donated SR2 million to the fund while Prince Sultan Center for Humanitarian Services made a contribution of SR1 million. Prince Salman announced a contribution of SR1 million besides promising SR200,000 to the fund every year.
Prince Sultan said the next fund-raising event would be organized in the Eastern Province. The wildlife fund, which operates within the framework of the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, will now have a total reserve of SR45 million including SR20 million raised in Riyadh.
Prince Sultan said none of the NCWCD projects had been affected due to paucity of funds. King Fahd has made available SR400 million so far to carry out different projects of the NCWCD. This was in addition to billions of riyals spent by the government on environmental projects implemented by other government agencies.
The NCWCD has set up three major environmental research centers — King Khaled Wildlife Research Center in Thumamah, Prince Sudairy Research Center in Qassim and National Wildlife Research Center in Taif.
Dr. Abdul Aziz Abuzinada, NCWCD’s secretary-general, said the Saudi conservation agency was seeking to protect 10 percent of the total area of the Kingdom. “We have already set up wildlife reserves on five percent of the total land mass,” said the official, adding that the NCWCD has been given the mandate to study 16 more potential sites.
The NCWCD chief called on the local businessmen to support the wildlife fund, which is trying to protect 162 endangered species of plants and animals in different parts of the Kingdom. He said a prestigious environmental award named after Prince Sultan would be given out next month in recognition of conservation efforts by individuals or groups.
“Prince Sultan Award for Serving Environment” will be given for the first time in four categories — for cleaning the environment, for cleaning the coastline, for rehabilitation of coral reefs and for creative contribution. The award will carry a cash prize of SR500,000 to be distributed among the four winners, a citation and an appreciation letter. Prince Sultan will chair the awards ceremony.
Abuzinadah, meanwhile, announced the names of new members of the wildlife fund.
