Environmental security forces apprehend violators of environmental regulations in Riyadh and the Tuwaiq Reserve

As part of ongoing field efforts to protect natural resources and ensure compliance with environmental regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of a number of violators of the environmental system in the Riyadh region, as part of its intensive inspection campaigns aimed at preserving vegetation cover and biodiversity.

Violations detected in Tuwaiq Nature Reserve

Field patrols of the Special Forces for Environmental Security apprehended a citizen who violated environmental regulations by lighting a fire in an unauthorized area within the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve . This act contravenes strict instructions prohibiting fires outside designated areas due to the severe damage they cause to the soil and vegetation, as well as the risk of wildfires. The necessary legal procedures were applied to the violator, and the forces confirmed that the penalty for lighting fires in forests and national parks outside designated areas can reach a fine of 3,000 Saudi Riyals.

Violations of overgrazing in royal reserves

In a related incident, authorities detected another violation involving overgrazing. A citizen was apprehended for grazing seven camels in prohibited areas within the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve . Overgrazing is considered one of the most significant challenges facing efforts to restore vegetation cover in the Kingdom. Authorities clarified that the prescribed penalties were applied to the violator, noting that the fine for grazing camels in prohibited areas is 500 riyals per camel.

The importance of environmental security and the Kingdom's Vision 2030

These efforts are of paramount strategic importance within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which has established environmental protection as one of its fundamental pillars. The Special Forces for Environmental Security serve as the executive arm of the Ministry of Interior to enforce environmental regulations, aiming to curb harmful practices such as illegal logging, unregulated grazing, and indiscriminate fires. These enforcement actions contribute to raising public awareness of the importance of nature reserves and royal reserves established by the state as havens for wildlife and a source of ecological balance.

Through its green initiatives, such as the Saudi Green Initiative, the Kingdom seeks to develop vegetation cover and combat desertification, which requires firmness in applying regulations against any violations that may hinder the growth of wild plants or threaten wildlife in their natural environments.

Reporting and communication channels

The Special Forces for Environmental Security reiterated their call to all citizens and residents to contribute to environmental protection by reporting any instances of environmental or wildlife violations. They explained that reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. They emphasized that all reports are treated with complete confidentiality and that the reporter bears no responsibility whatsoever.