As part of ongoing efforts to enhance environmental protection and preserve natural resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of several citizens in the Riyadh region for violating environmental regulations. These individuals were found to have engaged in practices that harm vegetation and nature reserves. These operations are part of the intensive field campaigns conducted by the forces to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in the field of environmental sustainability.
Details of the violations detected and the penalties imposed
The violations that were detected included three main activities that pose a direct threat to the local environment, and the necessary legal measures have been taken against the perpetrators:
- Lighting fires in unauthorized areas: A citizen was apprehended for lighting a fire within the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve, in an area not designated for this purpose. Authorities confirmed that this practice endangers vegetation and is punishable by a fine of up to 3,000 Saudi Riyals.
- Overgrazing in protected areas: In the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, another citizen was apprehended for grazing 20 camels in prohibited areas. Overgrazing is a major cause of the degradation of natural pastures. Authorities clarified that the penalty for this violation is 500 riyals per camel.
- Local firewood transport: A third citizen was apprehended for transporting one cubic meter of local firewood in the Riyadh region, a clear violation of the environmental regulations aimed at combating illegal logging. The seized quantities were handed over to the relevant authorities, with the caveat that the penalty for transporting local firewood and charcoal is 16,000 riyals per cubic meter.
Environmental protection: a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030
These stringent measures reflect the significant transformation the Kingdom is undergoing in its approach to environmental issues, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030. The Vision has placed great emphasis on environmental sustainability, launching ambitious initiatives such as the "Saudi Green Initiative," which aims to plant billions of trees and combat desertification. The establishment of the Special Forces for Environmental Security, as the executive arm of the Ministry of Interior, is crucial for enforcing environmental regulations and protecting natural resources, including forests, rangelands, and wildlife, thereby contributing to improved quality of life and ecological balance.
The strategic importance of nature reserves
Protected areas such as the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve and the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve are of paramount importance, not only locally but also regionally. They represent vital ecosystems with unique biodiversity and act as natural lungs, contributing to mitigating the effects of climate change. Protecting these areas from harmful human activities such as overgrazing, logging, and open fires ensures the continuity of their environmental services for future generations and enhances the Kingdom's position as a destination for sustainable ecotourism.
The Special Forces for Environmental Security renewed their call for citizens and residents to report any cases of aggression against the environment or wildlife by calling the number (911) in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or the numbers (999) and (996) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom, stressing that community awareness and cooperation are the first line of defense to protect our environment.
