Environmental violations detected in royal reserves; penalties for logging and grazing

The Special Forces for Environmental Security continued their intensive field efforts to protect vegetation and wildlife in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where they recently managed to seize a number of environmental violations in the royal reserves, as part of their ongoing efforts to implement the executive regulations of the environmental system.

Details of enforcement of entry and overgrazing violations

In the first incident, the Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of a citizen who violated environmental regulations by driving his vehicle into the meadows and valleys within the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve . Legal action was immediately taken against him. In this context, the forces emphasized that driving vehicles into protected natural meadows and valleys is a clear violation punishable by a fine of up to 2,000 riyals, due to the damage such vehicles cause to vegetation and soil.

In a related incident, another citizen was apprehended for illegal grazing in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve , where he had grazed 29 camels in prohibited areas. Authorities confirmed that the penalty for grazing camels in restricted areas is a fine of 500 riyals per camel, reflecting a firm stance against practices that threaten the sustainability of natural rangelands.

Strict penalties for illegal logging

As part of efforts to combat illegal logging, authorities apprehended a citizen in possession of one cubic meter of local firewood within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve . The necessary legal procedures were followed, and the confiscated quantities were handed over to the relevant authorities. The authorities also clarified the financial penalties related to illegal logging to deter violators, as follows:

• The fine for using local firewood and charcoal in commercial activities is up to (32,000) riyals per cubic meter.
• The fine for transporting, selling and storing local firewood and charcoal is (16,000) riyals per cubic meter.

The importance of royal reserves and the Saudi Green Initiative

These seizures come at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing unprecedented environmental activism as part of the goals of Vision 2030 and the "Saudi Green" initiative. Royal reserves, such as the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Reserve and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Reserve, aim to reintroduce wildlife and protect vegetation from desertification and drought. Preventing logging, overgrazing, and unauthorized vehicle access are fundamental pillars for enabling the land to recover its natural state, which contributes to improving air quality, reducing temperatures, and combating climate change.

Methods of reporting environmental violations

The Special Forces for Environmental Security called on all citizens and residents to contribute to environmental protection by reporting any instances of environmental or wildlife abuse. Reports can be made by calling the following numbers:

• The number (911) is available in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
• The numbers (999) and (996) are used in the rest of the Kingdom's regions.