Special Forces for Environmental Security
Special Forces for Environmental Security is one of the security sectors under the Ministry of Interior in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was established in 2019 with the aim of protecting the environment, ensuring its sustainability and natural preservation, and supporting environmental security and a positive lifestyle.
Responsibilities of Special Forces for Environmental Security
Special Forces for Environmental Security undertake several responsibilities, including monitoring environmental areas for security purposes, apprehending violators, detecting and issuing violations, and investigating offenses. They are tasked with protecting wildlife, preventing local hunting and wood gathering—whether for sale or transport—and prohibiting livestock grazing in protected areas where it is not allowed. Additionally, soil transportation or excavation is considered a violation of environmental regulations.
Duties of the Special Forces for Environmental Security
Special Forces for Environmental Security work to protect and preserve biodiversity across all provinces of Saudi Arabia, safeguard roads and terrestrial and marine reserves, and participate in raising environmental awareness and educating the public to enhance compliance with regulations. They also receive and follow up on environmental violation reports and complaints.
Duties of the Special Forces for Environmental Security in wildlife reserves
Special Forces for Environmental Security began their duties in several terrestrial reserves in Saudi Arabia to preserve natural local sites and ensure the sustainability of environmental diversity. In 2020, as part of their first phase of operations, they worked in Imam Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Royal Reserve and King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, which includes Rawdat Al-Tinhah, valleys, and surrounding areas. The second phase of operations in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve included Rawdat Al-Khufas and its neighboring sites, as well as King Khalid Royal Reserve.
In the same year, the forces also began their environmental duties in King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve as part of the first phase of their operations, which included Al-Tubayq Reserve.
Subsequently, the Special Forces for Environmental Security undertook several environmental security tasks in the Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla Governorate. The forces also collaborated with the Royal Commission for AlUla to launch a tree planting campaign in the reserve, in cooperation with relevant authorities, to mitigate the effects of desertification and restore biodiversity in natural environments.
Headquarters and centers of Special Forces for Environmental Security
Special Forces for Environmental Security work to protect the environment and its various components across Saudi Arabia. It is headquartered in Riyadh City, with leadership branches in different provinces, cities, and governorates of Saudi Arabia.
In 2023, the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Special Forces for Environmental Security, contributed to achieving the targets of Saudi Vision 2030, which include protecting the environment, enforcing environmental regulations, ensuring environmental compliance by individuals and institutions, increasing vegetation cover, and restoring ecological balance in Saudi Arabia. The forces continued their expansion throughout the year, reaching forty-nine headquarters and centers, including three provinces, seven royal reserves, two nature reserves, and a park.
On May 30, 2024, the Ministry of Interior inaugurated the headquarters of the Special Forces for Environmental Security in Aseer Province, as part of the implementation of the strategic plan to enhance environmental security across all provinces of Saudi Arabia.