Environmental security forces uncover environmental violations in royal reserves
The Special Forces for Environmental Security continued their intensive field efforts to protect the natural resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where they were able to apprehend a number of violators of the environmental system in several royal reserves, as part of their ongoing efforts to enforce executive regulations and prevent practices that harm vegetation and wildlife.
Details of seizures and prescribed penalties
In its latest operation, the forces announced the arrest of a citizen who violated environmental regulations by camping without a permit within the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve . Legal procedures were immediately applied to him, with the forces clarifying that the penalty for camping in forests or national parks without obtaining the necessary permits is a fine of up to (3,000) riyals.
In a related incident, another individual was apprehended in the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve for transporting local firewood. A cubic meter of firewood was found in his possession. This practice is considered a serious violation that threatens native trees. Authorities confirmed that the penalty for transporting local firewood and charcoal is 16,000 riyals per cubic meter, with the confiscated quantities being handed over to the relevant authorities.
The campaigns also included the arrest of a citizen in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve for illegal grazing, where (22) camels were found grazing in prohibited areas. The authorities indicated that the penalty for grazing camels in prohibited areas is a fine of (500) riyals per camel.
National context and the importance of environmental protection
These security efforts align with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which places great importance on royal reserves as natural reservoirs of biodiversity. This strict enforcement of regulations aims to halt environmental degradation, combat desertification, and reintroduce endangered wildlife, thus contributing to restoring ecological balance in the Arabian Peninsula.
Royal reserves, such as the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Reserve and the King Abdulaziz Reserve, work to provide a safe environment for the growth of wild plants and the reproduction of wild animals away from unfair human interventions such as logging and unregulated grazing, thus promoting sustainable ecotourism in the future.
Official reporting channels
The Special Forces for Environmental Security reiterated their call to all citizens and residents to cooperate in protecting the environment and to immediately report any instances of damage to vegetation or wildlife. Reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and by calling 999 or 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. The forces emphasized that all reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
