Environmental security forces apprehend violators in Riyadh and Medina
As part of its ongoing efforts to protect natural resources and enforce environmental regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security the arrest of a number of violators in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, as part of its intensive field campaigns to monitor compliance with the environmental system and its executive regulations.
Details of seizures in Medina and Riyadh
Field patrols of the security forces in the Madinah region apprehended an Indian resident who violated regulations by exploiting sedimentary deposits without a permit. The forces explained that heavy equipment used for dredging and transporting soil was seized, constituting a clear violation of the area's geological nature. Legal procedures were applied to the violator.
In a related incident, authorities in the Riyadh region apprehended a citizen violating environmental regulations within the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve . The violation consisted of lighting a fire in an unauthorized area, posing a direct threat to the vegetation and the reserve's integrity. Authorities confirmed that the prescribed penalties were applied, noting that the fine for lighting fires in unauthorized areas within forests and national parks can reach 3,000 riyals.
The importance of preserving vegetation and soil
These seizures come at a time when Saudi Arabia is intensifying its efforts to achieve the goals of the "Saudi Green Initiative" and Vision 2030, which place great emphasis on environmental protection. Unregulated soil erosion and sediment extraction are practices that lead to land degradation and exacerbate desertification, negatively impacting the ecological balance and the sustainability of natural resources.
Furthermore, preserving vegetation in nature reserves, such as the Tuwaiq Reserve, is a cornerstone of biodiversity conservation. Indiscriminate fires not only threaten plants and mature trees but also endanger wildlife and increase carbon emissions, which authorities are striving to mitigate through strict enforcement of regulations.
The role of special forces for environmental security
The Special Forces for Environmental Security were established as a specialized security agency aimed at monitoring and controlling environmental and wildlife violations. They work in coordination with relevant authorities to promote environmental awareness and deter violators. Their duties cover all wilderness areas and nature reserves to ensure environmental sustainability for future generations.
In closing, the forces urged everyone to report any cases of environmental or wildlife abuse by calling (911) in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Eastern regions, and (999) and (996) in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions, stressing that all reports are treated with complete confidentiality.
