As part of ongoing efforts to protect natural resources and preserve environmental sustainability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security their intensive field campaigns to monitor and apprehend violators of environmental regulations in various regions. These efforts recently resulted in the detection of several serious violations in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, reflecting heightened security vigilance and a commitment to the firm enforcement of regulations.
Seizure of soil erosion violation in Medina
In the first incident, field patrols of the Special Forces for Environmental Security in the Madinah region apprehended an Indian resident for a clear violation of environmental regulations, specifically the unauthorized extraction of sediment. The forces stated that the heavy equipment used by the violator in the excavation and removal of the soil was seized, and the necessary legal procedures were completed against him.
The importance of addressing such violations stems from the severe damage that soil erosion and sediment transport cause to the ecological balance, as this leads to the deterioration of vegetation cover, increased rates of desertification, and changes in the natural topography of the land, which negatively affects flood channels and increases the likelihood of floods or landslides.
Violation of lighting a fire in the Tuwaiq Reserve
In a related incident, in the Riyadh region, specifically within the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve , authorities apprehended a citizen who violated environmental regulations by lighting a fire in an unauthorized area, disregarding strict guidelines for preserving vegetation. The necessary legal procedures were applied to the offending citizen.
The Special Forces for Environmental Security emphasized that lighting fires in undesignated areas within forests and national parks is a violation punishable by a fine of up to 3,000 Saudi Riyals. This stricter measure stems from the significant risks associated with indiscriminate fires, which can spread and destroy vast areas of trees and wild plants that require many years to grow in the desert environment.
General context and importance of environmental commitment
These seizures fall within the Kingdom's comprehensive strategy under Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which aims to protect the environment, develop vegetation cover, and combat desertification. The Special Forces for Environmental Security play a pivotal role in enforcing environmental regulations and monitoring compliance to ensure the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.
In closing, the forces reiterated their call to all citizens and residents to report any cases of environmental or wildlife abuse by calling (911) in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and (999) and (996) in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions, stressing that all reports are handled with complete confidentiality.
