Environmental security forces in Riyadh and Medina have recorded two violations related to overgrazing and soil erosion
As part of its ongoing efforts to protect the environment and rigorously enforce regulations, the Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the detection of two separate violations of environmental regulations in the Madinah and Riyadh regions. These actions are part of the field campaigns conducted by the forces to track down violators and deter practices that harm vegetation and natural resources in the Kingdom.
Details of violations and actions taken
In the Madinah region, environmental security patrols apprehended a Yemeni resident involved in the illegal extraction and transport of sedimentary rock without the necessary permits. Two pieces of equipment used in the violation were seized, and the violator was processed and referred to the relevant authorities for further legal action.
In a related incident, authorities at the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve in the Riyadh region apprehended a Saudi citizen for violating environmental regulations by grazing eight camels in areas where grazing is strictly prohibited. The authorities clarified that the penalty for grazing camels in prohibited areas is a fine of 500 Saudi Riyals per camel. The necessary legal procedures were applied to the offending citizen.
General context: Environmental protection as a pillar of Vision 2030
The Special Forces for Environmental Security were established as the executive arm of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, with the aim of enforcing environmental regulations and protecting natural resources from encroachment. These efforts are directly aligned with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which places environmental sustainability and the protection of local ecosystems as one of its most important pillars. Through ambitious initiatives such as “Green Saudi Arabia” and “Green Middle East,” the Kingdom seeks to combat desertification, rehabilitate degraded lands, and protect biodiversity, making the role of environmental security vital in achieving these national goals.
Importance and expected impact
Addressing violations such as soil erosion and overgrazing has profound positive impacts at both the local and regional levels. Locally, preventing soil erosion helps preserve fertile land and combat desertification, while regulating grazing helps protect rare vegetation in nature reserves, allowing ecosystems to recover and flourish. Regionally, the Kingdom’s success in protecting its environment reinforces its position as a leader in climate action and provides a model for neighboring countries facing similar environmental challenges.
The Special Forces for Environmental Security renewed their call for citizens and residents to report any cases that constitute an attack on the environment or wildlife, by calling the number (911) in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, the Eastern Province and Madinah, or the numbers (999) and (996) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom, stressing that all reports are dealt with seriously and with complete confidentiality.
