The Special Forces for Environmental Security continued their intensive field efforts to protect the natural resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as they announced the arrest of a number of citizens who violated the environmental system in the Riyadh region, as part of their ongoing campaigns to enforce environmental regulations and preserve the vegetation cover in the royal reserves.
Enforcement of violations related to entering protected areas and overgrazing
In the first incident, authorities apprehended a citizen who violated environmental regulations by driving his vehicle into protected meadows and desert areas within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve . All necessary legal measures were taken against the violator. In its statement, the authorities explained that such practices pose a threat to the natural environment, noting that the penalty for driving vehicles into protected meadows and desert areas is a fine of up to 2,000 riyals.
In a related incident, field patrols spotted another citizen committing a grazing violation within the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve . The violation involved grazing four camels in areas where grazing is prohibited to protect the vegetation. The authorities confirmed that the necessary legal procedures were enforced, noting that the penalty for grazing camels in prohibited areas is a fine of 500 riyals per camel.
Violations related to starting fires and threatening vegetation cover
The seizures also included a citizen who violated environmental safety regulations by lighting a fire in an unauthorized area within the Imam Faisal bin Turki Royal Reserve . This act contravenes regulations aimed at preventing fires and protecting trees and shrubs. Authorities emphasized that the penalty for lighting fires in unauthorized areas within forests and national parks is a fine of up to 3,000 riyals.
The importance of royal reserves and Vision 2030
These security efforts align with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which prioritize protecting the natural environment, developing vegetation cover, and combating desertification. Royal reserves are a cornerstone of the Kingdom's biodiversity conservation strategy, aiming to reintroduce wildlife and protect wild plants from extinction.
The indiscriminate entry of vehicles into meadows (drifting or running them over) destroys the topsoil and prevents the growth of seasonal plants, while overgrazing depletes natural resources before they complete their growth cycle. Therefore, the Special Forces for Environmental Security act as a protective shield to ensure the sustainability of these resources for future generations and to promote sustainable ecotourism.
Ways to report violations
The Special Forces for Environmental Security called on all citizens and residents to contribute to environmental protection by reporting any instances of environmental or wildlife violations. Reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 or 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. The forces emphasized that all reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
