As part of ongoing efforts to enforce environmental regulations and protect natural resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security announced the arrest of a citizen who violated environmental regulations by lighting a fire in an unauthorized area within the Tuwaiq Nature Reserve. This action underscores the Kingdom's zero-tolerance policy towards practices that threaten the integrity of its vegetation, and the necessary legal procedures were immediately applied to the violator upon his arrest.
The Special Forces for Environmental Security clarified in their statement that the executive regulations of the Environmental Law clearly prohibit lighting fires in forests or national parks outside designated areas, noting that the penalty for this violation is a fine of up to 3,000 Saudi Riyals. These penalties aim to deter negative behaviors that could lead to fires or damage to the natural environment, reflecting the firmness of the competent authorities in enforcing the law.
The role of special forces for environmental security in protecting nature
The Special Forces for Environmental Security is a vital security sector within the Ministry of Interior, established to meet national aspirations for environmental preservation. These forces are responsible for security monitoring and enforcement against environmental violations throughout the Kingdom, including in royal reserves, parks, and forests. The enforcement of the violation in the Tuwaiq Reserve is part of a series of daily operations aimed at protecting wildlife and preventing illegal logging and hunting, thus promoting the sustainability of resources for future generations.
National context: Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative
This incident cannot be separated from the broader context of the significant environmental transformation underway in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030. Since launching the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, the Kingdom has prioritized protecting vegetation and expanding green spaces to combat desertification and reduce carbon emissions. Nature reserves, such as the Tuwaiq Reserve, are a cornerstone of this strategy, serving as safe havens for biodiversity and contributing to a better quality of life.
Preserving vegetation cover is not merely a luxury, but an environmental and economic necessity; it helps stabilize the soil, purify the air, and support the ecotourism that the Kingdom seeks to develop. Therefore, any encroachment on these areas, whether through logging or indiscriminate fire-setting, undermines national efforts to restore ecological balance.
A call for social responsibility and reporting
In closing, the Special Forces for Environmental Security reiterated their call to all citizens and residents to be mindful of their responsibility towards the nation's environment and to adhere to instructions and guidelines in desert areas. They also urged everyone to report any instances of environmental or wildlife violations 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 complete confidentiality and without any liability on the part of the reporter.
