المملكة: Prohibiting weapons, compulsory licenses, and restrictions on photography…a new list of protected areas
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture presented an updated draft of the executive regulations for protected areas via the “Reconnaissance” platform, in a step aimed at consolidating the protection of Natural resources and the regulation of human activities within these vital areas.
Securing protected areas
Under the regulation, the entry of individuals will be subject to Protected areas or crossing them are subject to strict controls, as it is required to obtain a prior license from the competent authority.
The regulations grant the area administration or authorized security guard companies the authority to search people and their vehicles at the entry and exit gates, with the right to refuse entry to any violator, recover any resources or wild organisms that are prohibited from being taken out, and apply regular fines.
On the other hand, the regulations gave the supervisory authorities flexibility in determining protection areas excluded from the licensing requirement according to certain controls, and also allowed the issuance of immediate licenses for emergency cases, such as searches for missing persons or livestock, in direct coordination with the emirates of the regions to ensure rapid response.
Prohibiting the practice of activities without a license
The draft stressed the prohibition of practicing Any activity within the reserves without obtaining an official permit, and a list of strict prohibitions was identified that includes the possession or use of weapons and hunting tools, harming wild creatures, and setting fires in places other than those designated for them, in addition to prohibiting grazing, farming, and metal detecting activities without a license.
The controls included preventing vehicles from driving outside the specified paths or exceeding the prescribed speeds, and prohibiting the erection of buildings or… Camping in sites other than approved, conducting scientific research or collecting any fungal organisms and their products without official permission, in an attempt to control all activities that may affect the delicate environmental balance of these areas.
Controls for establishing private reserves
On a related level, the regulations set a regulatory framework for establishing private reserves, as it required obtaining a license from the National Center for Wildlife Development, which does not It is granted only after proving private ownership of the land and full commitment to applying approved environmental protection standards, stressing that any infringement on these reserves will face penalties from the environmental system in addition to the regulations for protecting private property.
The regulation categorically criminalizes any practices that may disturb the natural balance, such as damaging facilities and border signs, or releasing alien or invasive fungal organisms, as well as It prohibited photographing and publishing environmental violations via social media without prior approval, stressing that the ultimate goal is to preserve living and non-living natural components for future generations.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
