The National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, through its patrols specialized in the protection and monitoring of forests and national parks, recorded 83 environmental violations within vegetation areas and national parks in the Asir region, in accordance with the provisions of the Executive Regulations for the Enforcement of Violations and Imposition of Penalties under the Environment Law, and the Executive Regulations for Illegal Firewood Collection.
The recorded violations ranged from lighting fires in unauthorized areas, for which the fine is 1,000 riyals for a first offense, doubling with each subsequent offense to reach 3,000 riyals on the third offense; burning trees and shrubs, for which the fine starts at 20,000 riyals for a first offense and reaches 40,000 riyals on the third offense; as well as camping in parks without a permit, for which the fine is 500 riyals per camper for the first offense, rising to 3,000 riyals for the third offense; and littering in areas other than designated trash sites, with fines ranging from 500 riyals for a first offense to 2,000 riyals for a third offense. Every offender is required to rectify the violation, repair any resulting damage, and pay the necessary compensation.
Last March, the Center launched more than 100 patrols to protect and monitor forests and parks in the Asir region, covering five sites in the area, in addition to deploying five unmanned aerial vehicles (drones); to monitor and detect encroachments and violations against vegetation cover, apprehend the perpetrators, and take appropriate measures in accordance with the executive regulations of the Environment Law.
It is worth noting that the Center works to protect and monitor vegetation sites, rehabilitate degraded areas throughout the Kingdom, detect encroachments, and combat illegal logging, in addition to overseeing the management and utilization of pasturelands, forests, and national parks, thereby promoting sustainable environmental development and contributing to the achievement of the Saudi Green Initiative’s goals.