Environmental security forces apprehend violators of grazing and fire-lighting regulations in royal reserves
As part of ongoing efforts to protect natural resources and preserve vegetation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the detection of a number of environmental violations in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, including overgrazing and starting fires in places not designated for them, as part of the intensive field campaigns carried out by the forces to enforce the executive regulations of the environmental system.
Details of enforcement of grazing regulations in royal reserves
Field patrols of the Special Forces for Environmental Security successfully apprehended a citizen who violated environmental regulations by grazing seven camels in prohibited grazing areas within the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve . Legal procedures were immediately applied to the violator upon his apprehension.
The forces explained in their statement that the penalties prescribed for such violations are strict, as the fine for grazing camels in prohibited places is (500) riyals per camel, in order to deter violations that lead to the deterioration of vegetation cover and desertification of the lands.
Fire violations in the Tuwaiq Reserve
In a related incident, authorities apprehended another citizen in the Tuwaiq Reserve for violating regulations and guidelines regarding the preservation of vegetation. He was found to have started a fire in an unauthorized area. Authorities emphasized that the penalty for starting fires in undesignated areas within forests, national parks, and reserves is a fine of 3,000 riyals, given the significant threat such practices pose to biodiversity and the potential for widespread fires.
National context and the importance of royal reserves
These seizures come at a time when Saudi Arabia is witnessing unprecedented environmental activism as part of its Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative. Royal reserves, such as the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Reserve and the Tuwaiq Reserve, were established by royal decree with the aim of reintroducing wildlife and protecting trees and wild plants from extinction.
These reserves play a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance. Preventing overgrazing helps restore soil fertility and promotes the growth of annual and perennial plants, which in turn reduces dust storms and lowers temperatures. Furthermore, the Tuwaiq Reserve, with its unique geological features, is a natural and tourist heritage site that must be protected from any negative practices that could mar its stunning natural beauty.
Call for reporting and community cooperation
The Special Forces for Environmental Security emphasized the importance of community awareness and its role in protecting the environment, urging everyone to report any instances of environmental or wildlife violations. They explained that reporting channels are available by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom, stressing that all reports are treated with complete confidentiality and without any liability on the part of the reporter.
