Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has initiated measures to strengthen its system of monitoring encroachments on government land as well as on the environment by taking advantage of the highly advanced electronic system.

The emirates of Madinah and Al-Qassim have launched the new electronic monitoring system by using satellites with the aim of combating this phenomenon and holding the perpetrators accountable.

Emir of Madinah Prince Faisal Bin Salman inaugurated the electronic system to monitor encroachments on land and environment in the region. This was aimed at preserving government land, preventing their exploitation, reducing encroachments, speeding up reporting procedures, monitoring cases of encroachments, and dealing with the consequences thereof via satellite technology.

This is in cooperation with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology to monitor geographical alterations on government land, especially those falling within the scope of major projects.

Prince Faisal said the new system is of great importance in following up on encroachments and dealing with them with top priority before their occurrence, and it will be evaluated after six months to ensure its feasibility.

In Qassim region, the new system was launched under the title the “Eye of the Falcon.” As per the system, the images of any encroachments at any location in the region will be made available via satellites and drones and send notifications to the control center for punitive action.

The system will also monitor any damage to environment on valleys and flood passages, and work to stop them so as to reduce natural disasters caused by encroachments.

There is also a mechanism to submit dynamic reports on the map in a consistent manner and monitor 12 governorates and 165 towns in the region throughout the year.

The new system to monitor encroachments on government land as well as on the environment started implementing a few days after the issuance of orders by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to oust several officials and investigate their role in encroachment in a number of cities in the Kingdom by the Control and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha).