A violator was caught transporting firewood in Riyadh: Learn about the penalties and reporting numbers
As part of the ongoing field efforts of the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Special Forces for Environmental Security, to protect the Kingdom’s natural resources, the field teams in the Riyadh region were able to apprehend a citizen who violated the environmental regulations, for transporting quantities of local firewood that are prohibited from being traded or transported.
The Special Forces for Environmental Security explained that the violator was apprehended in possession of two cubic meters of local firewood, a clear violation of the executive regulations of the Environmental Law, which prohibit logging and the transport of local firewood for commercial or personal use, in order to preserve vegetation. The necessary legal procedures were immediately applied to the violator upon his apprehension, and the seized quantities were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.
Deterrent penalties to protect nature
In the context of raising awareness about penalties, the Special Forces for Environmental Security reiterated their warning that any disregard for environmental regulations will be met with strict legal action, noting that the penalty for transporting local firewood and charcoal reaches 16,000 riyals per cubic meter. These hefty fines serve as a deterrent to curb the phenomenon of illegal logging, which has depleted the Kingdom's vegetation cover for decades, exacerbating desertification and soil degradation in many areas.
National context: Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative
These security operations are of paramount importance in light of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's strategic direction within "Vision 2030," specifically through the "Saudi Green Initiative." The Kingdom aims to plant 10 billion trees over the coming decades, and it is illogical to pursue afforestation while destroying existing mature trees and local firewood. Therefore, the role of the Special Forces for Environmental Security is considered a cornerstone in protecting current environmental gains and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.
Preserving native trees such as acacia, tamarisk, and ghaf is an urgent environmental necessity, as these trees contribute to stabilizing the soil, reducing dust storms, and providing habitats for wildlife, making their protection a national duty shared by all.
Call for reporting and community engagement
The forces concluded their statement by urging all citizens and residents to be mindful of their responsibility towards the nation's environment and to promptly report any instances of environmental or wildlife abuse. They clarified that communication channels are open 24/7 via the number (911) in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and via the numbers (999) and (996) in the rest of the Kingdom, emphasizing that all reports are treated with complete confidentiality and without any legal repercussions for the reporter.
