Environmental security forces uncover environmental violations in Riyadh and the King Abdulaziz Reserve

As part of ongoing efforts to protect vegetation and wildlife in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security to apprehend a number of violators of the environmental system in separate incidents in the Riyadh region and the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, as part of their intensive field campaigns to track down violators of environmental regulations.

Details of the seizure of the local firewood transport violation

Authorities announced the arrest of a citizen in the Riyadh region for violating environmental regulations by transporting a cubic meter of local firewood . This constitutes a clear violation of the executive regulations that prohibit logging, transporting, and storing local firewood. Legal procedures were applied to the violator, and the seized quantities were handed over to the relevant authorities.

In this context, the forces reiterated that the legal penalties are strict, as the penalty for transporting, selling and storing local firewood and charcoal reaches a financial fine of (16,000) riyals per cubic meter, in order to reduce the phenomenon of illegal logging that threatens the ancient trees and vegetation cover in the Kingdom.

Controlling overgrazing in royal reserves

In another incident, field patrols apprehended a citizen for grazing violations , specifically for grazing eight camels in prohibited areas within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve. The forces confirmed that the necessary legal procedures were applied to him, noting that the penalty for grazing camels in prohibited areas is a fine of 500 riyals per camel.

The importance of adhering to environmental regulations and combating desertification

These seizures come within the context of the significant environmental movement underway in Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative. These strict regulations aim to combat desertification, preserve natural resources, and rehabilitate vegetation cover that has been damaged over decades by harmful practices such as logging and overgrazing.

Royal reserves, such as the King Abdulaziz Reserve, serve as natural havens aimed at protecting biodiversity and restoring ecological balance, making adherence to grazing laws within them a national duty that contributes to environmental sustainability 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 reporting any incidents of environmental or wildlife abuse. Reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 or 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. The Forces emphasized that all reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.