RIYADH, 2 May — Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal will chair a preparatory session ahead of a meeting of the board of directors of the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development in Jeddah today.
An NCWCD official told Arab News that a proposal for the creation of a new sanctuary for the Arabian leopard in south western part of the Kingdom will be the main item on the agenda of the board meeting. The 17th session of the board of directors will be held on May 6 under the chairmanship of Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, who is also the chairman of the board.
Shada area in Al-Baha, southwestern part of the Kingdom, is considered to be the most important habitat for the Arabian leopard. Recently, however, the leopard has come under attack from Saudi farmers who have been hunting down the animal for killing their livestock. NCWCD’s annual report will also be discussed. Participation of the Supreme Commission for Tourism in the NCWCD preparatory committees is also on the agenda.
