The Special Forces for Environmental Security in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the arrest of a number of violators of the environmental system, as part of its ongoing efforts to protect vegetation and wildlife in the royal reserves, and to enforce regulations against violators in order to preserve natural resources.
Details of seizures in King Abdulaziz Reserve
In the first incident, field patrols apprehended a citizen who violated environmental regulations by driving his vehicle into the meadows and natural areas within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve . The relevant authorities immediately initiated legal proceedings against him. The forces clarified in their statement that the executive regulations of the environmental law clearly prohibit the entry of vehicles into protected meadows and natural areas, noting that the penalty for this violation is a fine of up to 2,000 Saudi Riyals, due to the damage such actions cause to vegetation and soil.
Grazing violations in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Reserve
In a related incident, the Special Forces for Environmental Security detected another violation in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve , where a citizen was apprehended for illegal grazing. The violation involved grazing twelve camels in areas where grazing is prohibited to protect the vegetation cover. The forces confirmed that the necessary legal procedures were applied to the violator, noting that the penalty for grazing camels in prohibited areas is a fine of 500 riyals per camel, making the total fine proportional to the number of camels seized.
National context and the importance of protecting nature reserves
These intensified monitoring efforts align with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which prioritize the protection and sustainability of the natural environment. Royal reserves were established by royal decree to preserve biodiversity, reintroduce wildlife, and promote sustainable ecotourism. These reserves are a national heritage that requires concerted governmental and community efforts to protect them from harmful practices such as logging, overgrazing, illegal hunting, and driving off designated routes.
Environmental impact of violations and the role of environmental security
The entry of vehicles into meadows and valleys (known as "dune bashing" or reckless driving) damages the topsoil and prevents seed germination, contributing to desertification and the loss of seasonal and permanent vegetation. Unregulated grazing also depletes rangeland resources and disrupts the delicate ecological balance in these areas. The Special Forces for Environmental Security play a pivotal role as the enforcement arm for environmental regulations, working around the clock to monitor protected areas and apprehend violators to ensure the sustainability of these resources for future generations.
Reporting and communication channels
The Special Forces for Environmental Security called upon all citizens and residents to recognize their national responsibility and contribute to environmental protection by reporting any instances of environmental or wildlife violations. They explained that reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and by calling 999 or 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. They emphasized that all reports are treated with complete confidentiality and that the reporter bears no responsibility whatsoever.
