The Saudi Arabian Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of a citizen who violated environmental regulations by lighting a fire in an unauthorized area within the Imam Faisal bin Turki Royal Reserve . This action is part of ongoing efforts by relevant authorities to enforce environmental compliance and protect the Kingdom's natural resources.
The authorities clarified that the necessary legal procedures were applied to the violator, emphasizing that starting fires in forests, national parks, or reserves outside designated areas is a clear violation of environmental regulations and carries a fine of up to 3,000 Saudi Riyals . These penalties aim to deter harmful practices that threaten the integrity of vegetation.
The importance of royal reserves in ecological balance
This incident is particularly significant as it occurred within the Imam Faisal bin Turki Royal Reserve , one of the Kingdom's strategic reserves. Royal reserves were established by royal decree to preserve biodiversity, reintroduce wildlife, and promote ecotourism. This particular reserve covers vast areas spanning three administrative regions (Asir, Jazan, and Makkah), making the preservation of its vegetation a major national responsibility to ensure the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.
National context: Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030
These control measures cannot be separated from the broader context of Saudi Vision 2030 , specifically the "Saudi Green Initiative." The Kingdom seeks to increase vegetation cover and combat desertification, and protecting trees and wild plants from illegal logging or indiscriminate fires is a cornerstone of this strategy. Setting fire directly on the ground not only mars the landscape but also kills seeds in the soil and destroys microorganisms, hindering future plant growth and exacerbating desertification.
Corporate social responsibility and reporting channels
In closing, the Special Forces for Environmental Security called upon all citizens and residents to recognize their national responsibility towards the environment and to adhere to the regulations and instructions that prohibit harming vegetation. They also urged everyone to report any instances of environmental or wildlife violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom, emphasizing that all reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
