In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s firm commitment to protecting its natural resources and strictly enforcing environmental regulations, the Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of three citizens who committed various violations of the environmental system, and they face fines that may amount to thousands of riyals in total, including a maximum fine of 16,000 riyals for one of the violators.
The violations were distributed across three main activities that harm vegetation and ecological balance. The first violation involved a citizen grazing 24 camels in prohibited areas within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve. Authorities clarified that the penalty for this act is 500 riyals per camel, emphasizing the importance of protecting natural pastures from overgrazing, which is a major cause of land degradation and desertification. The second violation was committed by another citizen who deliberately drove his vehicle into sensitive meadows and vegetation areas within the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve, a practice that directly damages vegetation and carries a fine of 2,000 riyals.
The most severe violation, in terms of penalty, was the apprehension of a citizen in the Riyadh region transporting a cubic meter of local firewood, in clear violation of the executive regulations prohibiting logging and the trade of local firewood. Authorities confirmed that the penalty for this violation reaches 16,000 riyals per cubic meter, highlighting the state's seriousness in combating the cutting down of local trees, which threatens biodiversity and accelerates desertification. Legal procedures were applied to all violators, and they were referred to the competent authorities, with the confiscated quantities of firewood being seized.
General context: Environmental protection as a pillar of Vision 2030
These stringent measures are part of a broader framework adopted by the Kingdom to protect the environment, a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030. In recent years, the Kingdom has launched ambitious initiatives such as “Green Saudi Arabia” and “Green Middle East,” which aim to increase vegetation cover, reduce carbon emissions, and combat climate change. To achieve these goals, specialized entities such as the Special Forces for Environmental Security and the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification have been established and empowered with the necessary authority to enforce the law and monitor compliance with environmental regulations throughout the Kingdom, including the vast royal reserves established to rehabilitate natural ecosystems.
Importance and expected impact
The application of these deterrent penalties has a multifaceted impact. Locally, it contributes to raising environmental awareness among citizens and residents, protects natural resources from depletion, and preserves the unique biodiversity of the Arabian Peninsula. Regionally and internationally, these efforts enhance the Kingdom's position as a leader in environmental action and underscore its commitment to fulfilling its global climate obligations. The Special Forces for Environmental Security urge everyone to immediately report any violations against the environment or wildlife by calling the designated numbers: 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom, emphasizing that environmental protection is a shared national responsibility.
