Intensive efforts to enforce the environmental system in the Kingdom
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 apprehension of several citizens in the Riyadh and Madinah regions for violating environmental regulations. The violations ranged from exploiting sediment and excavating soil to starting fires in unauthorized areas and overgrazing in nature reserves, reflecting the authorities' commitment to rigorously enforcing regulations to deter environmentally harmful practices.
National background and context: Environmental protection as one of the pillars of Vision 2030
These operations are part of a comprehensive national transformation undertaken by the Kingdom within the framework of Vision 2030, which places environmental sustainability and the protection of local ecosystems at the heart of its objectives. Recent years have witnessed the launch of ambitious initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, as well as the establishment of the Special Forces for Environmental Security in 2019 as the executive arm of the Ministry of Interior for enforcing environmental regulations. These integrated efforts aim to combat desertification, protect biodiversity, develop vegetation cover, and ensure the sustainability of natural resources for future generations, thereby enhancing quality of life and transforming the Kingdom into a global model for environmental conservation.
Details of the violations detected and the resulting penalties
In the Medina region, authorities apprehended a citizen for illegally extracting and transporting sedimentary rock without a permit. Two pieces of equipment used in this violation were seized. This activity poses a direct threat to the topsoil and contributes to the worsening of desertification.
In the Riyadh region, several violations were recorded. At the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve, a citizen was arrested for disregarding regulations and starting a fire in an unauthorized area, a violation punishable by a fine of 3,000 Saudi Riyals due to the danger it poses to vegetation and the potential for widespread fires. At the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, another citizen was apprehended for grazing five camels in prohibited areas, a violation punishable by a fine of 500 Riyals per camel.
The importance and expected impact of law enforcement
Applying these regulatory measures against violators is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally, this action reinforces the principle of the rule of law and underscores the state's commitment to protecting its natural resources, while also contributing to raising environmental awareness among citizens and residents. Regionally and internationally, these efforts enhance the Kingdom's position as a leader in environmental sustainability and support its goals in developing the ecotourism sector, which relies heavily on the integrity and beauty of its national reserves and parks. Preserving these delicate ecosystems not only ensures the protection of wildlife but also helps mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Special Forces for Environmental Security renewed their call for everyone to report any cases that constitute an attack on the environment or wildlife, by calling the number (911) in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and (999) and (996) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom.
