The Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of a Saudi citizen for violating environmental regulations by grazing camels in prohibited areas within the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve. The forces stated that (15) camels were seized from the violator, and that legal procedures were applied to him before referring him to the relevant authorities.
General context and environmental protection efforts in the Kingdom
This incident comes in the context of the intensive national efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect and rehabilitate natural ecosystems, which are an integral part of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The Royal Reserves were established by royal decrees with the aim of preserving biodiversity, reintroducing endangered wildlife, and developing natural vegetation cover that has deteriorated over decades due to harmful practices such as overgrazing and unregulated logging.
The Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve, which includes parts of Rawdat Khuraim, is one of the most important of these reserves due to its strategic location near the capital, Riyadh, and its unique biodiversity. Its management aims to restore ecological balance, combat desertification, and raise awareness of the importance of natural resources.
The importance of the violation and its expected impact
Overgrazing is not only a violation of the law, but also a direct threat to efforts to restore vegetation cover. Grazing in protected areas destroys rare and perennial plants, prevents the growth of new seedlings, and contributes to soil degradation and increased desertification. Locally, it negatively impacts the reserve's ability to achieve its environmental and tourism objectives.
Regionally and internationally, these stringent measures reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to its international environmental treaties and ambitious initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, which aim to lead global efforts in combating climate change. The success of these initiatives depends heavily on protecting and developing local natural resources, which the Special Forces for Environmental Security strive to ensure through the firm enforcement of the law.
Legal penalties and a call for social responsibility
The Special Forces for Environmental Security confirmed that the penalty for grazing camels in prohibited areas is a fine of 500 Saudi Riyals per camel. They also emphasized that the penalty for vehicles entering protected meadows and gardens is 2,000 Riyals. The forces urged all citizens and residents to immediately report any violations against the environment or wildlife by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom, stressing the importance of concerted efforts to preserve the natural heritage for future generations.
