Violators of the environmental regulations in Riyadh were apprehended: penalties for grazing and logging
The Special Forces for Environmental Security continued their intensive field efforts in the Riyadh region to protect vegetation and wildlife, where they were able to apprehend a number of violators of the environmental system in separate incidents that included lighting fires in undesignated places, camping without a license, transporting local firewood, and overgrazing, within the framework of the ongoing campaigns to enforce environmental regulations in the Kingdom.
Violations detected in the Tuwaiq and King Abdulaziz nature reserves
In the first incident, field patrols apprehended a citizen who violated regulations by lighting a fire in an unauthorized area within the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve . The necessary legal procedures were immediately applied. The authorities reiterated that the executive regulations of the Environmental Law clearly stipulate a fine of up to 3,000 riyals for lighting fires in forests or national parks outside designated areas, in order to mitigate the risk of fires and prevent damage to the natural landscape.
In a related incident, another citizen was apprehended for camping without the required permit within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve . Authorities explained that unauthorized camping harms the natural environment of the reserves, emphasizing that the penalty for this violation is also 3,000 riyals. They stressed the importance of adhering to the designated areas and times for camping.
Severe penalties for transporting firewood and overgrazing
As part of efforts to combat illegal logging, which threatens vegetation with desertification, authorities apprehended a citizen in the Riyadh region in possession of one cubic meter of locally sourced firewood. The seized quantities were handed over to the relevant authorities. It should be noted that transporting, selling, or storing locally sourced firewood and charcoal is a serious offense, punishable by a fine of up to 16,000 riyals per cubic meter, due to its direct negative impact on the sustainability of native trees.
The seizures also included a violation of overgrazing regulations in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve , where a citizen was apprehended grazing 30 camels in prohibited areas. Authorities confirmed that the penalty for grazing in restricted areas is 500 riyals per camel, in order to protect annual plants and shrubs from overgrazing, which leads to soil erosion.
The importance of environmental protection in light of Vision 2030
These security efforts are of paramount importance in light of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which aim to increase vegetation cover, combat desertification, and protect natural habitats. Royal reserves are a cornerstone in restoring ecological balance and preserving endangered biodiversity. The strict enforcement of penalties is not intended for revenue collection, but rather to raise public awareness of the importance of the environment as a national heritage that must be preserved for future generations.
The Special Forces for Environmental Security concluded their statement by urging citizens and residents to report any cases that constitute an attack on the environment or wildlife, by calling the number (911) in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and the numbers (999) and (996) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom, stressing that reports will be dealt with in complete confidentiality.
