Saudi Arabia has embarked on a significant initiative against luminous pollution, particularly evident in its esteemed Red Sea Project, Neom, and Qiddiyah City developments.
This ambitious project, situated in a vast 28,000 square-kilometre expanse along the coastal belt of the Red Sea, has achieved a noteworthy feat by attaining the status of a “Dark Sky Reserve.”
Nestled in the northwestern frontier of the Kingdom, this region boasts mesmerizing sand formations and crystalline waters, rendering it an idyllic spot for stargazing, notes Vogue.
Distinguished for its minimal light contamination, the Red Sea emerges as an unparalleled destination for celestial observations, earning the distinction of being the sole certified Dark Sky Reserve in the Middle East, and indeed, the largest in the world.
The efforts of Red Sea Global, in tandem with the global surge of interest in preserving unblemished nightscapes, have propelled this achievement.
Furthermore, leading Saudi luxury retreats are pioneering innovative illumination methodologies, in collaboration with Dark Sky International. Notable establishments such as the newly inaugurated Six Senses Southern Dunes and St Regis Red Sea Resort exemplify this commitment.
Beyond its luminous allure, the establishment of these dark sky reserves symbolizes a crucial stride towards fostering sustainable tourism practices within Saudi Arabia. By mitigating light pollution, the initiative endeavors to safeguard indigenous fauna and flora, thus nurturing the natural ecosystem.