Environmental security forces detect violations in the King Abdulaziz Reserve and the Eastern Province

As part of ongoing efforts to protect vegetation and wildlife in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security the arrest of a number of violators of the environmental system in various regions, including the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, and the Eastern Province.

Authorities apprehended a citizen for camping without a permit within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, and legal procedures were immediately applied against him. The relevant authorities explained that these campaigns are conducted to ensure compliance with regulations aimed at the sustainability of natural resources.

Details of violations and prescribed penalties

In a related context, the forces were able to apprehend another citizen in the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, for grazing (92) camels in locations where grazing is prohibited, which is a clear violation of the protected areas that are subject to strict monitoring to ensure the recovery of the vegetation cover in them.

The monitoring campaigns also extended to the Eastern Region, where a citizen was caught violating instructions to preserve vegetation cover by lighting fires in places not designated for that purpose, a behavior that may cause serious environmental damage or fires that threaten public safety.

The Special Forces for Environmental Security have outlined the penalties for observed violations as follows:

• Violation of camping without a license: a financial penalty of up to (3,000) riyals.
• Violation of overgrazing: A fine of (500) riyals for each camel.
• Lighting a fire in unauthorized places: a fine of up to (3,000) riyals.

The importance of royal reserves in the Kingdom's Vision 2030

These seizures come within the framework of a strategic direction by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainable ecotourism. Since the issuance of royal decrees establishing the Royal Reserves Council, the state has been striving to preserve biodiversity and reintroduce wildlife to its natural habitats.

The Special Forces for Environmental Security play a pivotal role in achieving the objectives of the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative by enforcing the law and preventing harmful practices such as illegal logging, unregulated grazing, and haphazard camping, which lead to soil degradation and desertification. Preserving these reserves, such as the King Abdulaziz Reserve and the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Reserve, is a national duty that contributes to improving the quality of life for current and future generations.

Official reporting channels

The forces emphasized the importance of the community's role in protecting the environment, urging everyone to report any instances of environmental or wildlife abuse. Citizens and residents can submit reports via the following numbers:

• The number (911) is available in the following areas: Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.
• The numbers (999) and (996) are used in the rest of the Kingdom's regions.

The security authorities confirmed that all reports are handled with complete confidentiality, without any legal responsibility being imposed on the reporter, in order to encourage community participation in preserving the nation’s natural resources.