From Inventory to Safeguarding: A Participatory Documentation Framework for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Imam Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Royal Reserve and King Khalid Royal Reserve in Saudi Arabia

Protected areas are critical to biodiversity conservation, yet their cultural values remain underexplored. The objective of this study is to identify the intangible cultural heritage of communities residing within and around the Imam Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Royal Reserve and the King Khalid Royal Reserve in Saudi Arabia. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, the study combines a literature review, semi-structured interviews, and participatory observation to identify intangible cultural heritage components across the five UNESCO domains: oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, knowledge of nature, and traditional craftsmanship. Fifty-five interviews were conducted across fourteen settlements. A comprehensive database was developed and includes the identification of fifty heritage elements—twenty-five actively practiced, sixteen were at risk of disappearance, and nine no longer practiced. Results show that craftsmanship and traditional arts were the most frequently documented domains, particularly among female participants, while some oral and performance-based traditions show signs of vulnerability in relation to intergenerational transmission. The proposed participatory and ethics-driven documentation framework, compliant with the UNESCO Convention of 2003, can support the inclusion of cultural heritage in protected area management efforts. The framework is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives related to cultural sustainability, community engagement, and heritage preservation.