Strict enforcement of environmental laws in royal reserves
As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to preserve its natural environment and biodiversity, the Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of four citizens for committing blatant violations of environmental regulations in three different royal reserves. These actions underscore the state's commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and imposing deterrent penalties on all violators, in order to protect the vegetation and wildlife that abound in these vital areas.
Details of violations and prescribed penalties
The violations that were detected were distributed across three of the most prominent royal reserves in the Kingdom, as follows:
- King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve: A citizen was apprehended for violating the regulations by driving his vehicle into protected areas, specifically in the meadows and gardens known for their environmental sensitivity. Authorities clarified that the penalty for such a violation is a fine of up to 2,000 Saudi Riyals.
- Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve: Two citizens were apprehended for two violations: first, cutting the fences surrounding the reserve, and second, entering the reserve without an official permit. Damaging the fences carries a severe penalty of up to 100,000 riyals, in addition to requiring the violator to repair the damage and pay compensation. The fine for unauthorized entry is 5,000 riyals.
- Imam Faisal bin Turki Royal Reserve: A fourth citizen was apprehended for violating regulations concerning the preservation of vegetation cover by lighting fires in unauthorized areas, thereby endangering the environment and causing soil degradation. The fine for this violation is 3,000 riyals.
The necessary legal procedures have been applied to all violators and they have been referred to the competent authorities to complete the required actions.
The Kingdom's efforts to protect the environment within Vision 2030
These seizures come within the broader context of the Kingdom's drive towards environmental sustainability, a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. The Special Forces for Environmental Security were established in 2019 as the executive arm of the Ministry of Interior to monitor and enforce environmental regulations throughout the Kingdom, including nature reserves, national parks, and forests. These efforts aim to combat environmentally harmful practices such as poaching, illegal logging, unregulated grazing, pollution, and encroachment on protected areas.
The importance and impact of royal reserves
The Royal Reserves, established by royal decree, are a pivotal part of the “Green Saudi Arabia” initiative. They aim to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems, protect endangered species, and develop vegetation cover. The importance of these reserves extends beyond the local level, encompassing regional and international impact. They contribute to ecological balance, combat desertification, and enhance the Kingdom’s position as a leader in environmental conservation. Furthermore, preserving these areas opens promising avenues for sustainable ecotourism, benefiting both the national economy and local communities.
A call for social responsibility
In closing, the Special Forces for Environmental Security reiterated their call to citizens and residents to report any instances of environmental or wildlife violations. Reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or by calling 999 or 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. The Forces emphasized that all reports are treated with the utmost confidentiality and that public awareness is the first line of defense for our natural resources.
