A person was arrested in Hail for violating environmental regulations while in possession of locally sourced firewood
The patrols of the General Directorate of Mujahideen in the Hail region apprehended a citizen for violating environmental regulations. He was found in possession of quantities of locally sourced firewood offered for sale, a clear violation of the regulations in place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect vegetation. Initial legal procedures were taken against the violator, and the seized items were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.
This operation comes as part of the ongoing and intensive efforts of the Ministry of Interior, through its various departments, to monitor and track the marketing, sale, and transport of locally produced charcoal and firewood. This monitoring includes markets within cities and governorates, as well as highways and secondary roads connecting different regions, in addition to tracking advertisements circulated on electronic platforms and social media sites promoting these prohibited products.
The importance of protecting vegetation cover in the Kingdom
These security and environmental efforts are of paramount importance in light of the strategic directions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030, which prioritizes environmental protection and the sustainability of natural resources. The Kingdom is working diligently through major national initiatives, such as the "Saudi Green Initiative," to combat desertification, increase green spaces, and rehabilitate degraded lands.
Illegal logging and the sale of local firewood are among the most significant challenges facing the desert environment. Cutting down native trees and shrubs destroys natural habitats for wildlife, increases dust storms, and raises temperatures. Therefore, the government has enacted strict laws criminalizing these practices and imposing deterrent penalties on violators, with the aim of preserving the remaining vegetation cover and enabling its natural regeneration.
Corporate social responsibility and reporting figures
The relevant authorities emphasized that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility between government agencies and members of the community. The General Directorate of Mujahideen called on all citizens and residents to cooperate and immediately report any instances of harm to the environment or wildlife.
Environmental violations can be reported by calling the unified number (911) in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or via the numbers (999) and (996) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom, in order to ensure the sustainability of our environment for future generations.
