Environmental security forces apprehend violators in Riyadh and Medina, imposing strict penalties
As part of ongoing efforts to protect natural resources and ensure their sustainability, the Special Forces for Environmental Security the implementation of intensive field campaigns that resulted in the arrest of a number of violators of the environmental system in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, within the framework of the Kingdom’s strategy to preserve vegetation cover and prevent practices harmful to nature.
Details of seizures in Medina and Riyadh
Field patrols in the Madinah region apprehended a citizen who violated the executive regulations of the Environmental Law by exploiting sedimentary deposits without a permit. The operation resulted in the seizure of two pieces of heavy equipment used for dredging and transporting soil, a clear violation of the area's geological nature. Legal procedures have been completed against him.
In a related incident, security forces in the Riyadh region, specifically within the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve , observed a citizen starting a fire in an unauthorized area, posing a threat to the vegetation and the reserve's safety. The forces emphasized that starting fires in forests or national parks outside designated areas carries a fine of up to 3,000 riyals .
Violations of overgrazing in royal reserves
Continuing their efforts to protect protected areas, authorities apprehended another citizen for illegal grazing within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve . The violation involved grazing five camels in prohibited areas, which contradicts the reserve's objectives of restoring biodiversity. Authorities clarified that the penalty for illegal camel grazing is a fine of 500 riyals per camel.
National context and the importance of preserving the environment
These seizures come at a time when Saudi Arabia is giving unprecedented attention to the environmental sector as part of its Vision 2030 . The Special Forces for Environmental Security were established as a security arm to enforce environmental regulations, with the aim of reducing desertification, illegal logging, soil erosion, and poaching.
These efforts are of paramount importance at both the local and regional levels, as protecting royal reserves (such as the King Abdulaziz Reserve and the Tuwaiq Reserve) contributes to restoring ecological balance, providing safe havens for wildlife, and promoting sustainable ecotourism. The strict enforcement of penalties sends a clear message about the necessity of adhering to regulations to ensure a healthy environment for future generations.
Call to report violations
The Special Forces for Environmental Security renewed their call to all citizens and residents to contribute to environmental protection by reporting any instances of damage to vegetation or wildlife. Reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. The forces emphasized that all reports are treated with the utmost confidentiality.
