'Ten years in jail and $8 million fine' for cutting down Saudi trees

"Cutting down trees, shrubs, herbs, or plants [and] uprooting, moving, stripping them of their bark, leaves or any part, or moving their soil," could land offenders with the maximum fine and jail time, the Public Prosecution department said on Twitter.

The  announcement comes a month after Environment Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley launched the "Let's Make it Green" campaign, a plan to plant 10 million trees in the kingdom by the end of April 2021. The green drive aims at combating desertification.

Sweeping economic reforms have gained widespread attention largely due to the kingdom's overall overhaul plans - both social and financial - with a mission of ending the kingdom's reliance on oil.

The green vision plan has been touted by Riyadh as one driven by economic and environmental concerns in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

In Vision 2030, it is stated that Saudi Arabia aims to "safeguard our environment by increasing the efficiency of waste management, establishing comprehensive recycling projects, reducing all types of pollution and fighting desertification".


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