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NCVC: Vegetation Coverage in Madinah Increased by 360% in Past 5 Months

In December 2023, the vegetation reached 13,194.5 km² in the region. SPA
In December 2023, the vegetation reached 13,194.5 km² in the region. SPA
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NCVC: Vegetation Coverage in Madinah Increased by 360% in Past 5 Months

In December 2023, the vegetation reached 13,194.5 km² in the region. SPA
In December 2023, the vegetation reached 13,194.5 km² in the region. SPA

The Saudi National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) announced that the vegetation coverage in Madinah has increased by 360% due to the rainfall during the past five months of 2023.

The center noted that the vegetation coverage in Madinah had reached 2,863.4 km² in August 2023, covering 1.9% of the region's total area. In December 2023, the vegetation coverage gradually increased, reaching 13,194.5 km² and covering 8.7% of the region's area.

NCVC, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, aims to protect and develop the vegetation sites in Saudi Arabia.

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Damian Lewis Herds Sheep over a London Bridge as Part of a Quirky Tradition

British actor Damian Lewis leads The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, driving sheep across Southward Bridge, during the annual event in London on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
British actor Damian Lewis leads The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, driving sheep across Southward Bridge, during the annual event in London on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
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Damian Lewis Herds Sheep over a London Bridge as Part of a Quirky Tradition

British actor Damian Lewis leads The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, driving sheep across Southward Bridge, during the annual event in London on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
British actor Damian Lewis leads The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, driving sheep across Southward Bridge, during the annual event in London on September 29, 2024. (AFP)

Actor Damian Lewis drove a flock of sheep across the River Thames on Sunday in homage to a centuries-old tradition.

Lewis is among thousands of people granted the honorary title of Freeman of the City of London, which in medieval times came with the right to bring livestock across the river to market without paying tolls.

More than 1,000 freemen exercised that right on Sunday in the annual London Sheep Drive, many wearing black hats and red cloaks. Lewis wore his grandfather’s wool coat and carried a crook as he led the throng herding the animals over Southwark Bridge.

“It was fabulous,” said Lewis, star of “Band of Brothers,” “Homeland” and “Wolf Hall.”

Lewis was asked to represent the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, a trade guild dating back to the 12th century. He said he was pleased to be part of “this eccentric, very British day, honoring an old tradition.”

Manny Cohen, Master Woolman at the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, said the ancient sheep-driving tradition was revived about 15 years ago and has become a major charity fundraising event.

There are no plans to bring back other ancient freemen’s privileges such as the right to carry an unsheathed sword in public.