Saudi Arabia implements strict rules to protect wildlife

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The ministry emphasized the prohibition of hunting of all kinds of animals. (SPA)
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The ministry emphasized the prohibition of hunting of all kinds of animals. (SPA)
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The ministry emphasized the prohibition of hunting of all kinds of animals. (SPA)
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Updated 15 February 2021
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Saudi Arabia implements strict rules to protect wildlife

  • Fines will be imposed for hunting without permits, harming endangered species, and using prohibited weapons and hunting tools

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture on Monday implemented executive regulations to protect wildlife in the Kingdom.
The new regulations prohibit hunting wild fungi organisms, endangered species, and overfishing. The new laws aim to regulate hunting activities in the Kingdom and provide hunters outlets to enjoy the sport in a safe and secure environment without harming the balance of the natural ecosystem.
By providing hunting venues, the new laws will also encourage investments in the sector.
The ministry said the executive regulations also include fines for violations. Fines will be imposed for hunting without permits, harming endangered species, and using prohibited weapons and hunting tools.
The National Center for Wildlife Development supervises programs related to the protection and development of wildlife and biological diversity in Saudi Arabia.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The new regulations prohibit hunting wild fungi organisms, endangered species, and overfishing.

• Fines will be imposed for hunting without permits, harming endangered species, and using prohibited weapons and hunting tools.

It is also responsible for the planning and managing protected areas and managing centers for the breeding and resettlement of endangered animals.
Earlier, the ministry emphasized the prohibition of hunting of all kinds of animals or birds within the boundaries of cities, villages, towns, farms and rest houses, or any inhabited places, or near cities and military, industrial and vital installations.
It also instructed that hunting can only be done with air guns licensed in the name of their users. The ministry stressed that it is forbidden to use any other means that lead to catching more than one animal or bird, whether with spray guns, fishing nets, or hunting in unauthorized ways such as using gases, car exhaust, drowning in water, or using similar means.


Saudi chef wins culinary competition

Updated 18 December 2025
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Saudi chef wins culinary competition

  • Event aimed to empower chefs’ ability to showcase talent on global scale 
  • Bayan Abdullah Al-Sudani: It (has) encouraged me to participate in more challenging spaces

RIYADH: A Saudi has won the Saudi Elite Chefs competition at Horeca Riyadh.

The event, which was organized by the Culinary Arts Commission of the Ministry of Culture, in alignment with the ministry’s long-term goals, aimed to empower Saudi chefs’ ability to showcase their talent and creativity on a global scale.

Speaking to Arab News, the winner, Bayan Abdullah Al-Sudani, shed light on how the competition equipped her with confidence for the future, saying: “It was a big challenge, and I faced off against strong chefs. It (has) encouraged me to participate in more challenging spaces.”

On her future plans, Al-Sudani wants to give back to the industry, and added: “I look forward to opening the Bayan Academy soon so that I can support chefs and help them with the pastry sector specifically.”

Celebration and achievement were echoed throughout, and it was evident at the event that the culinary industry in the Kingdom is hungry for growth, recognition, and global competition.

Seba Zarea, general manager of strategy and program delivery at the Culinary Arts Commission, told Arab News of the many facets of the industry that the ministry was prioritizing.

Zarea said: “This competition is just one of the initiatives that the Culinary Arts Commission is working on. There are also local scholarships (and) vocational training. We are also working on attracting the best culinary schools to Saudi. For example, Le Cordon Bleu is opening next year in Misk City.”

Zarea stressed the rewards of events like the Saudi Elite Chefs competition, adding that the winner had a fast track to Bocuse d’Or and the World Pastry Cup — representing global opportunities to place both competitors and Saudi cuisine on the map.

Zarea added: “Food is a soft power and, in terms of tourism, food is a universal language so we codified the Saudi cuisine, an initiative started four years ago, and we came up with more than 1,300 codified recipes, items, and local produce from the Kingdom.”

Zarea went into depth on some of the behind-the-scenes efforts that have helped create the food that the Kingdom is able to showcase.

She shared the example of the Wild Plant Initiative, a program designed to explore plants of various regions in the Kingdom to discover new ingredients that can be integrated into Saudi cuisine.

These efforts go into helping to build an industry that is rooted in culture, creativity, and passion. 

In the same way that the Saudi Elite Chefs competition provides its winners and participants with the tools to bring their success to global attention, the Culinary Arts Commission works to elevate the Kingdom’s cuisine through tourism and hospitality.

Zarea said: “This sector is the easiest way to showcase the culture.”