A fine of 2000 riyals for trampling vegetation in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has issued strict warnings to visitors of desert areas and picnickers, emphasizing its intention to impose immediate financial penalties on those involved in the indiscriminate destruction of vegetation. This decisive step comes as part of the extensive awareness campaign "Our Winter is Healthy 2," which aims to promote environmental awareness and curb the waste of natural resources, coinciding with the Kingdom's winter picnic season.
Details of penalties and observed violations
The Ministry clarified that the executive regulations of the Environmental Law stipulate a fine of up to 2,000 Saudi Riyals for any vehicle—car, motorcycle, or truck—caught crossing illegally within protected desert areas or in meadows and valleys experiencing seasonal vegetation growth. These areas are considered the natural lungs of the desert, and entering them with vehicles outside designated routes constitutes a clear violation warranting legal action.
Environmental context and the harms of random hit-and-runs
From a scientific and environmental perspective, banning cars from entering kindergartens is not merely a regulatory measure, but a vital biological necessity. The passage of heavy vehicle and motorcycle tires over the soil causes what is known as "soil compaction," which destroys the pores that allow soil aeration and water to reach plant roots. Furthermore, this impact destroys the "seed bank" located in the topsoil, hindering plant growth in future seasons, accelerating desertification and sand encroachment, and eliminating the natural habitats of small wildlife.
Link to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative
These measures acquire significant strategic importance when viewed within the context of the Saudi Green Initiative, stemming from the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Kingdom aims to plant 10 billion trees and rehabilitate 40 million hectares of degraded land. Therefore, protecting existing vegetation from human destruction is the first and most crucial step in restoring ecological balance. Preserving natural meadows and wadis contributes to lowering temperatures, reducing dust storms, and enhancing biodiversity, which is a national treasure for future generations.
A call for awareness and national responsibility
In closing, the Ministry emphasized that the purpose of these fines is not financial gain, but rather to deter harmful practices that leave environmental scars that may take decades to heal. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture urged all park visitors to adhere to designated vehicle routes and to enjoy nature on foot within green spaces, asserting that individual awareness is the first line of defense for the Kingdom's environment and that compliance with regulations reflects a positive and civilized image of Saudi society.
