Environmental security forces crack down on grazing and camping violations in royal reserves

As part of ongoing efforts to protect natural resources and enforce environmental regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security were able to detect a number of environmental violations in the Riyadh region, including overgrazing and camping without a license in royal reserves, as part of their intensive field campaigns to monitor compliance with the environmental system and its executive regulations.

Details of enforcement of grazing and camping violations

The Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of a citizen for violating environmental regulations after he was observed grazing camels in prohibited areas within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve . The forces explained that the violation involved grazing 13 camels and confirmed that the necessary legal procedures were applied to the violator. In their statement, the forces emphasized that the penalty for grazing camels in prohibited areas is a fine of 500 riyals per camel, reflecting the strict enforcement of fines to deter such practices.

In a related incident, authorities apprehended another citizen for camping without a permit in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve . The authorities noted that the penalty for camping in forests or national parks without a permit is a fine of up to 3,000 riyals, and the necessary legal procedures have been initiated against the violator.

The importance of royal reserves and the protection of vegetation cover

These seizures come within a broader national context aimed at preserving the natural environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative. Royal reserves, such as the King Abdulaziz Reserve and the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Reserve, play a vital role in restoring ecological balance, protecting wildlife, and developing vegetation cover that has suffered for many years from logging and overgrazing.

Overgrazing is one of the most prominent causes of desertification and soil degradation, as the elimination of wild plants before the completion of their life cycle deprives the soil of the seeds necessary for future seasons, which calls for decisive intervention from the competent authorities to impose order and protect these areas to ensure their sustainability for future generations.

Call for reporting and community cooperation

The Special Forces for Environmental Security affirmed that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility between official bodies and members of the community. The Forces urged all citizens and residents to immediately report any instances of environmental or wildlife violations. Reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and by calling 999 or 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. The Forces emphasized that all reports are treated with complete confidentiality, without any liability on the part of the reporter, in order to reinforce the principle of community partnership in preserving the environment.