Environmental violations detected in Riyadh: Learn about penalties for grazing and entering protected areas
As part of ongoing efforts to protect vegetation and wildlife in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security continued their intensive field campaigns in the Riyadh region, resulting in the detection of a number of violations that affect the ecological balance in the royal reserves.
Violations detected in royal reserves
The Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of a citizen who violated regulations by driving his vehicle into protected meadows and desert areas within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve . Legal action was immediately taken against him. In this context, the forces emphasized that protecting these areas requires full compliance from visitors, explaining that the penalty for driving vehicles into protected meadows and desert areas is a fine of up to 2,000 riyals, due to the damage tires cause to the soil and newly formed vegetation.
Penalties for overgrazing
In a related incident, authorities apprehended another citizen for grazing four camels in prohibited areas within the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve . This action aims to curb overgrazing, which threatens the sustainability of natural rangelands. Authorities confirmed that legal procedures will be applied to the violator, noting that the penalty for grazing camels in prohibited areas is a fine of 500 riyals per camel.
Dangers of starting fires in inappropriate places
The seizures also included a citizen who violated instructions to preserve vegetation by lighting a fire in an undesignated area within the Imam Faisal bin Turki Royal Reserve . Such practices are among the most serious threats to the environment due to their potential to cause widespread fires and damage the natural landscape. The authorities clarified that the penalty for lighting fires in undesignated areas within forests and national parks is a fine of up to 3,000 riyals.
The importance of adhering to environmental regulations
These monitoring efforts align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 Saudi Green Initiative , which aim to increase vegetation cover, combat desertification, and protect natural habitats for wildlife. Royal reserves are a cornerstone in restoring biodiversity in the Arabian Peninsula, as their strict regulations contribute to giving the land a chance to recover naturally and for wild plants to flourish.
The Special Forces for Environmental Security called on all citizens and residents to report any cases that constitute an attack on the environment or wildlife, by calling the number (911) in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and the numbers (999) and (996) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom, stressing that all reports are treated with complete confidentiality.
