Environmental security forces crack down on grazing and camping violations in royal reserves
As part of ongoing efforts to protect vegetation and wildlife in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security were able to detect a number of environmental violations in the royal reserves, confirming their determination to firmly enforce regulations against anyone who violates environmental laws.
Controlling violations of overgrazing
The Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of a citizen for violating environmental regulations by grazing 13 camels in prohibited areas within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve . Legal procedures were immediately applied to the violator upon his arrest. In this context, the forces emphasized that the penalty for grazing camels in prohibited areas is a fine of 500 riyals per camel, in order to curb the phenomenon of overgrazing, which threatens the sustainability of vegetation cover.
Violations of camping without a permit
In a related incident, authorities apprehended another citizen for camping without a permit in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve . The relevant authorities clarified that the penalty for camping in forests or national parks without a permit includes a fine of up to 3,000 riyals, and the necessary legal procedures were applied to the violator.
The importance of royal reserves and Vision 2030
These seizures come within a broader national context aimed at preserving the Kingdom's natural resources. Royal reserves were established by royal decree with the goal of preserving, propagating, and developing the natural environment, plants, and wildlife; promoting ecotourism; curbing overhunting and overgrazing; preventing logging; and maintaining and increasing vegetation cover.
These efforts are an integral part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which aims to combat desertification and rehabilitate degraded lands. Unregulated grazing is a major cause of soil degradation and biodiversity loss, making the monitoring role of the Special Forces for Environmental Security a cornerstone in protecting the Kingdom's environmental future.
Call for reporting and community cooperation
The Special Forces for Environmental Security urged all citizens and residents to adhere to environmental regulations and contribute to nature conservation. They encouraged everyone to report any instances of environmental or wildlife violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions, and 999 or 996 in the rest of the Kingdom, emphasizing that all reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
