Environmental security forces arrest 4 citizens for violations in 3 royal reserves

Ongoing efforts to enforce environmental law

The Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of four citizens for various violations of environmental regulations in three different royal reserves. This action is part of their ongoing efforts to enforce environmental regulations and preserve natural resources and biodiversity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These measures underscore the state's commitment to enforcing deterrent penalties against anyone who harms the environment and its components.

Details of violations in royal reserves

The violations that were detected were distributed across three of the major royal reserves, and their details are as follows:

• King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve: A citizen was apprehended for driving his vehicle into the protected Al-Fayyad and Al-Rawdah area, a violation that endangers the delicate vegetation. Authorities clarified that the penalty for this violation is a fine of 2,000 Saudi Riyals.
• Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve: Two citizens were apprehended for two violations: first, cutting fences and damaging vegetation, and second, entering the reserve without an official permit. The penalty for damaging fences is 100,000 riyals, with the violator also required to repair the damage, while the fine for unauthorized entry is 5,000 riyals.
• Imam Faisal bin Turki Royal Reserve: A citizen was apprehended for violating regulations protecting vegetation cover by lighting fires in undesignated areas, posing a threat to wildlife and increasing the likelihood of widespread fires. 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 legal procedures.

General context: Environmental protection as a national priority

These seizures reflect the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to protecting its natural environment, a commitment that aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and its ambitious initiatives such as the “Saudi Green Initiative.” The Special Forces for Environmental Security were established in 2019 as the executive arm of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, tasked with monitoring and enforcing environmental regulations across all regions of the Kingdom, including nature reserves, national parks, forests, and rangelands.

The importance and impact of royal reserves

Royal reserves, established by royal decree, are a cornerstone of the Kingdom's strategy for preserving biodiversity, reintroducing endangered species, and restoring degraded ecosystems. Their role extends beyond simply protecting nature; they also promote sustainable ecotourism and raise public awareness about the importance of preserving the natural heritage for future generations. The strict enforcement of the law within these reserves sends a clear message that the preservation of these areas is a red line that cannot be crossed.

A call for social responsibility

The Special Forces for Environmental Security reiterated their call for 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 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. The Forces emphasized that all reports are treated with the utmost confidentiality and care.