Nine violators were apprehended in Tabuk for selling local firewood and violating environmental regulations
As part of ongoing efforts to protect vegetation and implement environmental regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Road Security in the Tabuk region were able to apprehend 9 citizens who violated the environmental regulations, as they were found in possession of quantities of local firewood offered for sale, which is a clear violation of the executive regulations that prohibit logging and trading in it.
The necessary legal measures have been taken against the violators, and the seized items have been handed over to the competent authorities to complete the legal procedures and apply the prescribed penalties in accordance with the Environmental Law and its implementing regulations.
The Ministry of Interior's efforts in protecting the environment
This operation is part of the intensive field campaigns conducted by the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Special Forces for Environmental Security and Highway Security, to monitor and track the marketing, sale, or transport of locally produced charcoal and firewood. This monitoring includes surveillance within cities and governorates, as well as on highways connecting different regions of the Kingdom, in addition to monitoring online platforms and social media sites that promote this illegal activity.
The importance of preserving vegetation cover and Vision 2030
Implementing environmental regulations is of paramount importance in light of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's strategic directions within Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which aims to protect the natural environment, combat desertification, and increase vegetation cover. Illegal logging (cutting down native trees) is one of the greatest threats facing the desert environment, leading to soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and an increase in dust storms.
The relevant authorities are working to establish community awareness that local trees such as acacia, tamarisk and ghaf are a national treasure that takes decades to grow under dry climatic conditions, and that preserving them is a national duty and a shared responsibility between government agencies and members of society.
Sanctions and deterrent measures
It is worth noting that the Kingdom's environmental regulations impose strict penalties on violators, including substantial fines commensurate with the extent of environmental damage and the quantity of illegally harvested trees, whether through cutting, transporting, or selling them. These penalties aim to deter violators and curb the phenomenon of illegal logging, which has depleted vegetation cover for many years.
Methods of reporting environmental violations
Public Security urged all citizens and residents to cooperate in protecting natural resources and to immediately report any incidents of environmental or wildlife abuse. Reports can be made through the following official channels:
- The number (911) is used in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.
- The number (999) and the number (996) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom.
