Environmental security forces apprehend 16 violators in Riyadh and the Tuwaiq Reserve
As part of ongoing field efforts to protect natural resources and preserve the environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the implementation of successful operations in the Riyadh region, which resulted in the arrest of 16 violators of the environmental system, within the framework of the Kingdom’s strict strategy to reduce unfair practices that harm vegetation cover and natural resources.
Controlling soil erosion in Riyadh
Field patrols of the Special Forces for Environmental Security apprehended 15 residents of various nationalities, including Pakistani, Indian, Ethiopian, and Yemeni. The arrests resulted from their involvement in the unlicensed exploitation of sediment in the Riyadh region, a clear violation of the Kingdom's environmental regulations. The operation also led to the confiscation of 23 pieces of heavy equipment used for dredging and transporting soil. Legal procedures were completed against the violators, and they were referred to the relevant authorities.
Violation in the Tuwaiq Reserve
In a related incident, and within the scope of protecting royal and natural reserves, authorities apprehended a Saudi citizen for violating environmental regulations in the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve. The violation consisted of lighting a fire in an unauthorized area, posing a direct threat to the vegetation and the reserve's integrity. Authorities confirmed that the necessary legal procedures were applied to the citizen, emphasizing that the penalty for lighting fires in forests or national parks outside designated areas can reach a fine of 3,000 Saudi Riyals.
The importance of environmental security and Vision 2030
These seizures are a culmination of the Kingdom's efforts to solidify the concept of "environmental security" as an integral part of comprehensive national security, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative. The Special Forces for Environmental Security monitor wilderness areas and protected areas to prevent illegal logging, soil erosion, and poaching. Soil erosion leads to land degradation and increased desertification, while indiscriminate fires destroy the vegetation cover that the state strives to develop and sustain for future generations.
Channels for reporting violations
The Special Forces for Environmental Security called on all citizens and residents to cooperate in protecting the environment by immediately reporting any incidents of environmental or wildlife abuse. They explained that reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and by calling 999 or 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. They emphasized that all reports are treated with the utmost confidentiality.
