Violators of environmental regulations were apprehended in Tabuk for exploiting sediment

As part of ongoing field efforts to protect natural resources and ensure compliance with environmental regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Security and Protection Forces announced that they had apprehended violators of the environmental regulations in the Tabuk region, as part of their intensive monitoring campaigns to detect and control violations against the environment.

Details of the arrest of environmental violators in Tabuk

The Special Security and Protection Forces announced the arrest of two residents, one Egyptian and one Sudanese, for a clear violation of environmental regulations. The violation involved the exploitation of sediment in the Tabuk region without obtaining the necessary permits. Security officials confirmed that the violators were detained, all legal procedures were initiated against them, and they were referred to the relevant authorities for further investigation and the application of penalties stipulated in the executive regulations of the environmental law.

The importance of protecting sediments and the environmental impact

This operation comes as part of the Ministry of Interior and relevant authorities' commitment to combating the illegal exploitation of sedimentary materials (such as soil, sand, and gravel). Dredging soil or removing sediment from valleys and natural areas without a permit is one of the most dangerous practices threatening the ecological balance, as it leads to the degradation of vegetation cover, increased desertification, and alteration of watercourses and valleys, posing a risk to infrastructure and nearby residential areas.

National context and the Kingdom's efforts in environmental protection

Under its Vision 2030, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places great importance on protecting, developing, and sustaining the environment. Stringent legislation, including the new Environmental Law, has been enacted to deter those who tamper with natural resources. The Special Security and Protection Forces work alongside the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to enforce regulations in protected and open areas, ensuring the sustainability of resources for future generations and supporting initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative. The Tabuk region is of particular importance due to its diverse geography and its hosting of major development and environmental projects, making monitoring there vital.

Call to report environmental violations

The Special Security and Protection Forces reiterated their call to all citizens and residents to adhere to environmental regulations and contribute to protecting the nation by reporting any instances of environmental or wildlife violations. They clarified that reports can be made by calling the following numbers:

• (911) In the regions of Mecca, Riyadh, the Eastern Province and Medina.
• (999) and (996) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom.

Security authorities confirmed that all reports are handled with complete confidentiality, without any liability on the part of the reporter, in order to promote the principle of community partnership in preserving the environment.