In the heart of Saudi Arabia’s harshest terrains, where vast stretches of sand meet the sun’s unrelenting glare, the word “desert” often evokes images of barrenness and emptiness. But for Said Alatawi, this landscape is neither empty nor forgotten—it is wounded, sacred, and in desperate need of healing.
Through years of firsthand experience in the wild, Said Alatawi has grown into one of the country’s most passionate voices for desert restoration. His work goes beyond simply documenting nature; it delves into active efforts to revive degraded lands, remove human damage, and restore ecological balance in some of the most fragile ecosystems in the Arabian Peninsula.
The Silent Damage to Desert Environments
While deserts may appear untouched, they have suffered deeply from modern pressures: off-road driving, illegal dumping, overgrazing, and unregulated development. These acts leave behind scars—broken dunes, scattered waste, and disrupted habitats that affect both wildlife and local communities.
Said Alatawi has made it his mission to address these issues not only through awareness, but through direct action. He believes that protecting the desert means engaging with it, caring for it, and reversing the damage where possible. With a deep-rooted respect for the land passed down through generations, he understands the delicate balance that defines desert life.
Cleaning, Restoring, and Reconnecting
One of the most overlooked forms of desert restoration is simple cleanup—and Said is at the forefront of this. He spends long hours collecting waste from desert sites, removing plastic bottles, metal scraps, tires, and even hazardous materials that threaten the soil and the animals that depend on it. He documents the shocking amount of human litter he encounters in places once thought to be pristine.
For Said, restoration is about respect. It's about recognizing that every plant, every rock, and every animal plays a role in the ecosystem. The desert is not lifeless—it is delicate, and that delicacy requires care, not exploitation.
The Aesthetic of the Desert
A vital part of Said Alatawi’s philosophy is his attention to the visual and emotional beauty of the desert. He wants people to see the landscape not as empty space, but as a living artwork shaped by time, wind, and resilience. By restoring damaged areas and sharing images of untouched spots, he reminds the public that the desert is worthy of admiration and protection.
He often speaks about the “shape of the desert”—the way dunes form, the way shadows fall on rock formations, the traces left by animals moving silently across the sand. This poetic connection fuels his desire to keep the land clean, whole, and visually undisturbed.
To Said, a piece of litter is not just pollution; it’s an offense to the aesthetic dignity of the desert. His restoration efforts are motivated by both ecological and artistic appreciation.
Community, Collaboration, and the Future
Said does not work alone. He collaborates with fellow nature enthusiasts, volunteers, and sometimes even local authorities to organize desert cleanups and awareness campaigns. His work has inspired others to see the desert not as a playground for reckless behavior, but as a living space worth protecting.
In the future, he hopes to initiate larger-scale restoration projects that include youth participation, educational programs, and partnerships with environmental organizations. His dream is to see more of Saudi Arabia’s desert protected by law, managed with care, and treated as a national treasure.
Restoring the desert is not just about the land—it’s about values, identity, and the future of a fragile world. Said Alatawi’s tireless efforts remind us that beauty can be broken, but it can also be healed. And in the quiet spaces between dunes and stars, there is still hope for a cleaner, stronger, and more respectful relationship with the natural world.