Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification recorded 650 environmental violations during the past two months.

The violations stipulates from the executive regulations to control violations and impose penalties for the environmental system in vegetation lands in a number of regions around the Kingdom.

Violations were monitored by the center’s patrols specialized in protecting forests, pastures and national parks.

Penalties were issued against violators in accordance with the provisions of the executive regulations for developing vegetation lands and combating desertification, and the executive regulations for logging.

The monitored violations included transporting and selling local firewood and coal, entry of vehicles and cars into protected wild areas, as well as cutting trees and plants, grazing in protected areas without a license, throwing waste in public, and setting fire in undesignated places.

The center aims to supervise the management of rangeland lands, forests and national parks to promote sustainable development and contributes to achieving the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.