Environmental violators apprehended and fined 100,000 riyals | Environmental Security
As part of ongoing field efforts to protect natural resources and ensure compliance with applicable regulations, the Special Forces for Environmental Security in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the arrest of a number of violators of the environmental system in various regions, including Madinah and royal reserves, where the legal procedures were applied to them.
Details of seizures and violations
Field patrols apprehended two Yemeni residents in the Madinah region for illegally exploiting sediment deposits (soil dredging), a clear violation of the area's geological integrity. In a related incident, a citizen was apprehended in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve for grazing seven camels in prohibited areas, threatening the vegetation cover the reserve is working to develop.
The monitoring campaigns also extended to include the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve , where citizens were caught cutting the fences and entering the reserve without a license, in an act that reflects disregard for the regulations governing entry into protected areas.
Penalties and fines
The Special Forces for Environmental Security clarified the list of penalties for these violations, emphasizing that the system does not tolerate environmental damage. The penalties are as follows:
- Grazing violation: A financial penalty of (500) riyals for each camel.
- Entering the reserves without a license: a fine of (5,000) riyals.
- Damaging fences: A penalty of up to (100,000) riyals for cutting or damaging fences in protected areas, with the violator obligated to repair the damages and pay the necessary compensations.
General context: Environmental protection within Vision 2030
These seizures come within the context of a broad national movement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to preserve the environment, develop vegetation cover, and combat desertification, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative. The Special Forces for Environmental Security serve as a vital security arm for enforcing environmental regulations, with these efforts aiming to restore ecological balance and protect wildlife and plants from extinction or degradation.
The importance of adhering to environmental regulations
Adherence to environmental regulations is a national duty that contributes to the sustainability of natural resources for future generations. Authorities emphasize that royal reserves were established solely to rehabilitate degraded lands and protect biodiversity. The authorities urge everyone to report any violations against the environment or wildlife by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 or 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.
