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Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal Reserve
The Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal Reserve was established as a reserve of a special nature under the umbrella of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, pursuant to the Council of Ministers resolution issued at its session held on 9 September 2026 (27 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 AH), chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The establishment of the Reserve reflects ongoing efforts to protect natural resources and biodiversity and to strengthen environmental sustainability in the capital, alongside support for the wider network of nature reserves — raising the quality of wildlife and the natural environment across the area and the surrounding farms and villages that form an integral part of its identity.
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Location and Boundaries
The Reserve extends across an area of 4,310 km² within Dhurma, Al-Muzahimiyah and the areas between them, within the geographical boundaries under RCRC mandate, at a distance of between 20 and 35 km from the capital.
4,310 km²
Area of the Reserve
20–35 km
From the capital
3,200
Farms
22
Valleys
Vision
To protect and rehabilitate the natural areas adjacent to the Tuwaiq Mountains and to preserve the sand dunes and the rural environment, creating a distinctive experience while safeguarding the rural character and the environmental features of Dhurma and Al-Muzahimiyah.
Strategic Objectives of the Reserve and Its Expected Impact
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City oversees the delivery of the Reserve’s strategic objectives, which are as follows:
Environmental protection and restoration of natural systems
Economic prosperity for the area
Social development
Expected impact of the Reserve
Protecting and rehabilitating natural areas
The Reserve focuses on rehabilitating the natural areas adjoining the Tuwaiq Mountains and preserving the sand dunes, valleys and the environmental features that distinguish the area, helping to strengthen environmental awareness across the community.
Preserving the rural character and environmental qualities
The Reserve preserves the rural character of Dhurma and Al-Muzahimiyah, together with the villages and farms that form part of the identity of the place.
Safeguarding cultural and heritage assets
The Reserve’s objectives include safeguarding the cultural and heritage assets associated with the area, alongside its natural and rural features.
Regulating development in keeping with the area’s identity
The Reserve helps regulate urban growth within its boundaries in a way that takes account of existing properties and activities and preserves the character of the area and its rural identity.
Natural and Cultural Features of the Area
The area is distinguished by unique natural features that bring together the Tuwaiq Mountains, the sand dunes and an authentic rural environment. It is also home to 22 valleys and 3,200 farms, reflecting a rich environmental and rural diversity.
Added to these are the cultural and heritage assets, farms and villages associated with the area, which form part of its identity.
- Tuwaiq Mountains
- Sand dunes
- Valleys
- Authentic rural environment
- Cultural and heritage assets
- Farms and villages
Regulating Growth, Property Ownership and Existing Activities
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City works to deliver the Reserve’s objectives and to regulate its growth in a way that takes account of the interests of residents, landowners and the operators of existing activities.
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Property ownership
Existing property ownership and activities are taken into account as they currently stand.
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Construction and activities
Construction works and other activities are handled in line with the regulations and controls approved for the Reserve, and in coordination with the relevant authorities.
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Farms and rural activities
The Reserve gives particular attention to preserving the rural environment and the farms and villages tied to the identity of the place, while taking account of the interests of existing operators.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Reserve and its scope
What does it mean for an area to be declared a nature reserve?
It means establishing a defined area dedicated to protecting its natural, rural, environmental and cultural components, and working to rehabilitate the natural areas within it — preserving the character and identity of the place and regulating its growth in line with the objectives of the Reserve and the interests of residents, landowners and activity operators.
Does the Reserve cover all of Dhurma and Al-Muzahimiyah, or only parts of them?
The Reserve extends across Dhurma, Al-Muzahimiyah and the areas between them. This does not necessarily mean that the full administrative boundaries of the two governorates are included, as the boundaries of the Reserve are defined according to its approved geographical boundaries.
What is meant by preserving the rural character of the area?
It refers to preserving the qualities that distinguish the rural environment of Dhurma, Al-Muzahimiyah and the areas falling within the Reserve, including the villages, the farms, the natural landscape and the elements associated with rural identity, while regulating growth in a way that preserves the character and identity of the area.
How does the Reserve fit with the Kingdom’s other reserves, and what makes it distinctive?
The Reserve forms part of the Kingdom’s efforts to protect natural sites and to develop and rehabilitate reserves. It is distinguished by its special nature and by a landscape that brings together the Tuwaiq Mountains, the sand dunes, a rural environment and cultural assets within a single area, with a focus on preserving the rural character of the area and regulating its growth.
Land and property ownership
Does the establishment of the Reserve involve the expropriation of any land or property? And will the buying and selling of land within its boundaries be affected?
The announcement does not involve the expropriation of land or property, and it takes existing ownership and activities into account.
Will land uses change following the establishment of the Reserve?
One of the objectives of the Reserve is to regulate spatial and urban growth in a way that preserves the character of the area and its rural identity, while taking account of existing ownership and activities. Any changes to land uses will follow the plans and controls approved in coordination with the relevant authorities.
Construction and existing activities
Does declaring the area a nature reserve mean that construction or activities within it are prohibited?
The announcement does not mean that all construction works or activities within the Reserve will stop. The Reserve focuses on regulating growth in a way that balances environmental protection with preserving the rural character, while taking account of the interests of residents, landowners and activity operators.
Does the current announcement include implementation projects, investment opportunities, or the opening of the Reserve to visitors?
The current announcement concerns the establishment of the Reserve and the formation of its board of directors. It does not announce specific implementation projects, investment opportunities, or a date for opening the Reserve to visitors. Future steps and initiatives will be announced through the official channels once approved.
Governance and next steps
What is the role of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City in overseeing the Reserve?
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City oversees the delivery of the Reserve’s objectives and works with the relevant authorities to protect and rehabilitate its area and to regulate its spatial and urban growth — taking account of the interests of residents, landowners and activity operators, and preserving the rural character and the historical identity of the place.
What are the next steps following the announcement of the Reserve?
The coming phase will focus on plans to protect and rehabilitate the natural areas adjoining the Tuwaiq Mountains, to preserve the sand dunes, the valleys and the environmental features, and to regulate urban growth — all in coordination with the relevant authorities and with regard for the interests of residents, landowners and the operators of existing activities.
