New regulations to be submitted by the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) will see poachers faced with fines of SR50,000. Prince Bandar Bin Saud, NCWCD Secretary General, said at the weekend the new regulations represented a five-fold increase on the previous fine of SR10,000 as authorities attempt to clamp down on illegal hunting. “Vehicles used in illegal hunting or in any act of aggression against the Commission's staff will also be confiscated at the first offense,” Prince Bandar said. The NCWCD is tasked with preparing and implementing plans to sustain terrestrial and marine wildlife and rehabilitate rare and threatened species and their habitats. The ultimate goal of NCWCD is getting back the natural environmental balance. The proposed amendments to nature and wildlife protection laws – which also include the arming of wildlife rangers following training from the Ministry of Interior – are currently being considered by the Cabinet's Board of Experts, and approval is expected to be given within the next two weeks.
