Environmental security forces detect violations in royal reserves and issue fines
As part of ongoing efforts to protect the natural resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security continued their intensive field campaigns to apprehend violators of the environmental system, and recently they were able to detect and apprehend a number of violations in the royal reserves, reflecting the firmness in applying the regulations to ensure the sustainability of the vegetation cover.
Violations detected in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Reserve
The Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of a citizen who violated environmental regulations by starting a fire in an unauthorized area within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve . This act contravenes strict instructions aimed at protecting vegetation from the dangers of fires and illegal logging. Legal procedures were immediately applied to the violator upon his arrest.
In the context of raising awareness of penalties, the forces confirmed that the fine for lighting fires in places not designated for them in forests and national parks reaches (3,000) riyals , stressing the need to adhere to the designated places for picnicking and barbecuing in order to preserve public safety and the environment.
Violations in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Reserve
In another incident, authorities apprehended a citizen who violated environmental regulations by driving his vehicle into protected meadows and gardens within the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve . Driving vehicles into these environmentally sensitive areas is a major cause of soil degradation and the destruction of natural seeds, hindering the growth of wild plants.
The competent authorities explained that the penalty for vehicles entering protected wild meadows and gardens is a fine of (2,000) riyals , in order to deter practices that harm the environmental balance.
The importance of royal reserves and Vision 2030
These seizures are particularly significant given the great attention Saudi Arabia is giving to the environmental sector within the framework of its Vision 2030. Royal reserves were established by royal decree to preserve biodiversity, reintroduce wildlife, and promote ecotourism. The Special Forces for Environmental Security serve as a vital security arm to ensure the implementation of these strategies, as preserving vegetation contributes to combating desertification and reducing carbon emissions, which aligns with the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative.
Environmental Violations Reporting Mechanism
The Special Forces for Environmental Security called on all citizens and residents to contribute to environmental protection by immediately reporting any incidents of environmental or wildlife abuse. Reports can be made via the following numbers:
- (911)In the regions of Mecca, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.
- (999) and (996) : in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom.
The forces confirmed that all reports are handled with complete confidentiality, without any responsibility on the part of the reporter, in order to strengthen the principle of community partnership in preserving the homeland’s environment.
