Violators of environmental regulations in Asir and the Tuwaiq Reserve were apprehended, and deterrent penalties were imposed

As part of ongoing efforts to protect wildlife and ensure the sustainability of natural resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security apprehended a citizen in the Asir region for violating environmental regulations. The arrest followed the detection of a video circulating online showing the individual offering wildlife for sale without the necessary permits, a clear violation of the Kingdom's environmental laws.

Details of violations and prescribed penalties

The Special Forces for Environmental Security clarified that the necessary legal procedures have been completed against the violator in the Asir region, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Environmental Law and its implementing regulations. The Forces confirmed that the regulations strictly prohibit the sale or display of wildlife without a license, noting that the penalty for displaying captured wildlife is a fine of 20,000 riyals, while the penalty for hunting the rock hyrax specifically is a fine of 25,000 riyals, in order to deter violators and protect biodiversity.

A fire was started in the Tuwaiq Reserve

In a related development concerning environmental monitoring efforts, the Special Forces for Environmental Security apprehended another individual for violating environmental regulations in the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve. The violation consisted of lighting a fire in an unauthorized area, which constitutes an encroachment on vegetation and a threat to the reserve's integrity. The necessary legal procedures were applied, and it is worth noting that the penalty for lighting fires in unauthorized areas within forests and national parks is a fine of up to 3,000 riyals.

The importance of environmental commitment and the goals of the vision

These seizures come within the context of the significant environmental movement underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to protect protected areas, reintroduce wildlife, and preserve vegetation from illegal logging and fires. The Special Forces for Environmental Security play a pivotal role in enforcing regulations to ensure the preservation of these natural resources for future generations, as maintaining ecological balance is a shared national responsibility.

Channels for reporting violations

The Special Forces for Environmental Security renewed their call to all citizens and residents to contribute to environmental protection by reporting any instances of harm to wildlife or vegetation. They explained that reports can be made by calling 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.