Shada Al-Ala Mountain: Historic gem draws visitors to Al-Baha
The oratory of Shada Al-Ala Mountain is atop Jabal Shada in Al-Makhwah Governorate, occupying an area of about 9 sq. meters
Updated 07 February 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Al-Baha region in southwest Saudi Arabia features a rich tapestry of archaeological sites and historic structures that span various eras, highlighting the area’s deep cultural heritage.
These landmarks not only preserve the region’s historical legacy but also serve as enduring symbols of its vibrant past.
Among the most notable are Al-Qara Hill and the oratory of Shada Al-Ala Mountain.
The oratory of Shada Al-Ala Mountain is atop Jabal Shada in Al-Makhwah Governorate, occupying an area of about 9 sq. meters, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Built along the entire perimeter of the mountain’s peak, it rises more than 2,200 meters above sea level, requiring an arduous four-hour trek from the nearest village to reach it.
Despite its isolation, the oratory has remarkably preserved its four walls, although its roof has collapsed and remains unrestorable due to the site’s extreme inaccessibility and the rugged terrain leading to it.
During a visit to Shada Al-Ala Mountain, an SPA correspondent met with researcher Saeed Al-Shadwi, who elaborated on the historical significance of Mount Shada and Shadwan as prominent geographical landmarks.
He highlighted their presence in numerous glossaries, historical records and poetic works dating back to the sixth century.
Al-Shadwi noted that the white rock situated beneath the mountain to the northwest is a triangular formation commonly known as “Al-Marwa” and the summit is named “Qimmat Al-Marwa” after it, as referred to by the villagers.
The Shada Al-Ala and Al-Asfal mountains are home to a wealth of historical sites and landmarks that date back thousands of years. Among them are ancient caves, rock inscriptions, the Shada Mountain Reserve, and the oratory.
The region is also celebrated as the area where Shadawi coffee is cultivated.
How Saudi Arabia is pioneering soil quality and water conservation solutions
SandX is a biodegradable sand coating that reduces water evaporation by 80 percent using nature-inspired technology
CarboSoil is a breakthrough in soil amendment and carbon capture, enhancing plant growth and reducing emissions
Updated 17 min 30 sec ago
Jasmine Bager
JEDDAH: For more than a decade Saudi Arabia has invested in sustainability, implementing groundbreaking initiatives to combat desertification, improve soil quality and preserve water.
These efforts are transforming the Kingdom’s landscape, aligning with the broader goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.
One of the most ambitious projects is King Salman Park in Riyadh — one of the world’s largest urban parks. The initiative focuses on increasing green spaces, restoring soil health and mitigating the urban heat island effect.
Native tree planting and sustainable water management systems are key components, ensuring long-term environmental benefits.
Meanwhile, on the Kingdom’s east coast, Saudi Aramco has spearheaded efforts to manage soil erosion, improve water retention and enhance biodiversity.
But it is in the laboratories of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology where cutting-edge technology is shaping the future of sustainable soil solutions.
Terraxy technology in the lab. (KAUST photo)
Himanshu Mishra, an associate professor at KAUST, has spent the last decade addressing some of Saudi Arabia’s biggest environmental challenges. A specialist in water properties, his early research led him to an eye-opening realization about the Kingdom’s water usage.
“When I came to Saudi Arabia, I learned about the stress on water,” Mishra told Arab News. “Somebody told me that 80 percent of Saudi Arabia’s water is used for food production, yet (the country) is importing most of its food. That just blew my mind. I was disturbed by it.”
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Inspired by nature’s ability to repel water, Mishra co-founded SandX, a biodegradable, water-repellent sand coating designed to reduce water evaporation.
The technology mimics nature’s super water-repellent surfaces — like butterfly wings and bird feathers — to create a revolutionary material.
“This material, it hates water. It absolutely hates water,” said Mishra. “This is SandX, and water doesn’t penetrate it.
Screen grab from a video showing KAUST researchers applying Carbosoil at a SandX testing site. (KAUST video)
Each grain of SandX is coated with a nanoscale layer of biodegradable paraffin wax, reducing water evaporation by over 80 percent without the use of plastics. “Bacteria will eat the wax, so SandX will become sand again,” Mishra said.
“No one has ever done this in Saudi Arabia. We are the engineers, the first ones to do that. We are pioneers in this.”
Water scarcity, however, is only part of the challenge. “Do you know how old this water is?” Mishra asked, holding up a bottle. “This water is older than our planet. We have limited water resources, but we still have some resources. What we don’t have (are) fertile soils.”
Himanshu Mishra. (Supplied)
Green spaces in Saudi Arabia are heavily dependent on imported peat moss, he said, a practice that is not only expensive but also counterproductive to sustainability.
“You import so much peat moss every year — it’s a multi-million-dollar market. And you rely on these imports. It defeats the whole purpose of sustainability.”
To address this, Mishra developed CarboSoil, a groundbreaking soil amendment and carbon capture technology derived from organic waste.
A layer of SandX applied like mulch over wet soil greatly reduces evaporation. (KAUST/Terraxy photo)
Unlike traditional compost, which eventually releases carbon back into the air, CarboSoil locks carbon into the soil while enhancing plant growth.
“This is the only technology known to humanity that does soil amendment and carbon capture at the same time,” he said.
Field trials for CarboSoil are ongoing, with production scaling up following a KAUST Innovation and Economic Development grant. Mishra believes the impact will be transformative.
“Our technology will contribute to food production and greening projects in arid regions,” he said. “When you apply it on plants, they grow bigger and stronger — like 60 percent bigger, with wider trunks. Enhanced food production. Enhanced yields. That’s additional carbon capture.”
Oil palm waste. (Getty Images)
Looking ahead, Mishra envisions Saudi Arabia leading the world in carbon dioxide removal.
“I can guarantee you that as we continue to scale up this production under the stewardship of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, in less than five years, Saudi Arabia will be ranked number one in carbon dioxide removal deliveries on the planet.”
The startup’s ambitions extend far beyond the Kingdom. “Right now, our goal is to contribute to the landscaping and green sector in the Kingdom,” he said.
“In phase three, we start building factories for poultry farms, date farms, and other industries. Phase four is we will expand to the wider Middle East.”
Saudi aid center distributes 3,800 boxes of dates in Aden
The center distributed 300 food baskets in Costanta, Romania, benefiting 1,500 individuals.
Updated 21 March 2025
SPA
ADEN: The King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid recently distributed 3,800 boxes of dates across the districts of Mansoura, Sheikh Othman, and Dar Saad in Aden province, Yemen.
The distribution benefited 22,800 individuals, including displaced persons and people with special needs, as part of KSrelief’s 2025 date assistance distribution project in the country.
The center also distributed 300 food baskets in Costanta, Romania, benefiting 1,500 individuals. This is part of the Etaam Food Basket Distribution Project.
These initiatives are part of the Kingdom’s relief and humanitarian efforts carried out to support those in need and alleviate suffering worldwide.
Attempt to smuggle 22,496 unlicensed pills foiled in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan
Security authorities call upon citizens and residents to report all available information about any activities related to drug smuggling or selling
Updated 21 March 2025
SPA
JAZAN: Al-Afwaj security patrols in Jazan foiled an attempt to smuggle 22,496 unlicensed medical pills and 3 kg of hashish in Faifa Governorate. The seized narcotics were handed to the relevant authority.
Authorities in Jazan arrested a violator of the border security system, of Ethiopian nationality, for promoting amphetamine. Preliminary procedures have been completed and the offender referred to the competent authority.
Land patrols of the Border Guard in Al-Raboah in the Asir Region led to the arrest of six violators of the border security system, of Ethiopian nationality, for smuggling 120 kg of qat. Preliminary procedures have been completed, and the seized narcotics handed to the relevant authority.
Security authorities call upon citizens and residents to report all available information about any activities related to drug smuggling or selling. They can contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Region, or 999 in the other regions. The organization can also be contacted by email.
The prince was briefed on the association’s recent initiatives, as well as upcoming programs and activities
Updated 21 March 2025
Arab News
TAIF: Taif Gov. Prince Saud bin Nahar met with Abdulrahman Al-Sherbi, president of the Rose and Aromatic Plants Cooperative Association, in the presence of representatives from relevant government agencies.
During the meeting, the prince was briefed on the association’s recent initiatives, as well as upcoming programs and activities.
The governor commended the collaborative efforts between government and public entities, highlighting the uniqueness of Taif’s roses and aromatic plants and their potential on the international stage.
