Violations of camping regulations were recorded in the King Abdulaziz Reserve, and penalties were imposed on violators
The Special Forces for Environmental Security in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the arrest of a citizen for violating environmental regulations by camping without a permit within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve. Legal procedures were immediately applied to the violator upon his arrest, as part of ongoing efforts to protect protected areas and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
The forces explained in their statement that the executive regulations of the Environmental Law clearly stipulate that camping in forests or national parks without a permit is punishable by a fine of up to 3,000 Saudi Riyals. These fines aim to deter violations that could harm vegetation or disrupt the natural balance in these sensitive areas.
The importance of royal reserves in Saudi Arabia
This decisive action comes within the context of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's growing interest in protecting the natural environment, exemplified by the establishment of the Royal Reserves Council, chaired by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is one of the seven most important reserves established by royal decree in 2018. Located northeast of Riyadh, it encompasses significant ecological areas such as Rawdat Tanhat, Rawdat Khuraim, and the As-Summan Plateau.
The reserve's management seeks to restore biodiversity in the area and protect vegetation from overgrazing, logging, and random camping, which contributes to reducing desertification and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources for future generations, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.
Call to report environmental violations
In closing, the Special Forces for Environmental Security urged all citizens and residents to cooperate in protecting nature by reporting any instances of environmental or wildlife violations. They indicated that the official reporting channels are 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom, emphasizing that all reports are treated with complete confidentiality and without any liability on the part of the reporter.
