The agreement will focus operations on reducing the deterioration of vegetation cover in pastures and forests, fighting desertification, restoring wildlife habitats RIYADH: Saudi water chiefs have agreed to plant 5 million trees in the Kingdom by 2030 as part of a joint initiative to protect the environment. Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, the Saudi minister of environment, water and agriculture, watched the signing of a memorandum of cooperation with the country’s National Water Co. (NWC), aimed at using the latest technologies to increase vegetation cover and combat desertification. Dr. Osama Fakiha, undersecretary of the ministry, and NWC CEO Mohammed Al-Mowkley inked the deal. The agreement will focus operations on reducing the deterioration of vegetation cover in pastures and forests, fighting desertification, restoring wildlife habitats, raising ecological awareness, promoting the use of treated wastewater, and adapting to c limate change through the farming of local wild tree