Violations related to grazing, hunting, and camping were detected in the royal reserves in Riyadh
As part of ongoing efforts to protect the natural resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security their intensive field campaigns to apprehend violators of the Environmental Law and its implementing regulations. These efforts recently resulted in the detection of a number of violations, including overgrazing, unlicensed camping, and hunting in prohibited areas within the boundaries of royal reserves.
Efforts to protect vegetation and wildlife
These security operations are in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which place great emphasis on environmental protection, vegetation development, and combating desertification. The Special Forces for Environmental Security serve as the executive arm to ensure the implementation of the strict regulations established by the state to maintain ecological balance in nature reserves, which are considered a national treasure for future generations.
Enforcement of grazing violations in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Reserve
In the details of the field operations, the forces apprehended a citizen who violated environmental regulations by grazing seven camels in prohibited areas within the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve . The necessary legal procedures were applied to the violator, with the forces confirming that the penalty for grazing camels in prohibited areas is a fine of 500 riyals per camel, in order to mitigate the effects of overgrazing, which leads to soil degradation and the destruction of wild plants.
Camping violations in the King Abdulaziz Reserve
In a related incident, field patrols spotted another citizen committing the violation of camping without the necessary permits in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve . The authorities clarified that random camping in forests or national parks without a permit is a clear violation punishable by a fine of up to 3,000 riyals, due to the potential environmental damage, waste accumulation, and harm to vegetation.
Poaching in the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Reserve
Regarding wildlife protection, the Special Forces for Environmental Security apprehended a Gulf national who had begun hunting in a prohibited area within the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal . The violator was found in possession of three falcons and four other wildlife that he had hunted.
The forces stressed that the executive regulations of the environmental system criminalize hunting wildlife, confirming that the penalties in this case are doubled; the penalty for hunting in prohibited places is a fine of (5,000) riyals, in addition to the penalty for hunting without a license, which is (10,000) riyals, in order to deter practices that threaten biodiversity.
Official reporting channels
In closing, the Special Forces for Environmental Security urged all citizens and residents to adhere to environmental regulations and to promptly report any instances of environmental or wildlife violations. Reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 or 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. The Forces emphasized that all reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
