National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification

Article 1
Definitions

The following terms and phrases wherever they appear in this rules have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:

Center:
The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.

Law:
The Environment Law.

Regulations:
The executive regulations of the law.

Rules:
The Governance Rules for Wilderness Camps.

Relevant entity:
Government entities that supervise lands that may be allocated for wilderness camping.

Supervising entity:
Any government entity authorized by law to supervise a development sector, and competent to issue permits for the practice of activities that are subject to its supervision.

Vegetation covers the land:
All state-owned lands that contain wild plants and their equivalent, including pastures, forests, national, wild and geological parks, wetlands, plains, sandy areas (dunes), mountainous areas, valleys, coastal areas and islands.

Beneficiary:
Any natural or legal person, public or private.

Camping permit:
A written document granted by the centre to a person to authorize him to practice the activity of wilderness camping.

Permittee:
A person who has obtained a permit.

Wilderness camping:
A recreational activity that allows people to use tents woven from hair, wool, polyester or any other materials and are fixed to the ground with ropes and pegs and have poles, and mobile caravans are included in its provisions, without the use of construction materials such as building materials or their equivalent, in the vegetation cover lands, or the lands allocated by the relevant entities for camping activities.

Day outing:
A recreational activity for a period not exceeding 24 hours for the purpose of recreation or overnight stay using an overnight tent, a privacy screen “ruwaq” not exceeding six meters in length, or the awnings of moving vehicles attached to the vehicle and their equivalent in accordance with annex 2.

Camping platform:
An electronic platform supervised by the center dedicated to receiving applications for wilderness camping permits submitted by beneficiaries and issuing permits electronically.

Coordination report:
A coordination report between the center and any government entity that supervises lands and wishes to allocate them as a site for wilderness camping and needs to apply the provisions of these rules to camping or use the camping permit platform approved by the center.

Ecotourism:
An eco-friendly tourism activity practiced by man while preserving the sustainability of the natural innate and cultural heritage of the environment.

Accompanying recreational activity:
Any activities or events that require implementation or establishment in wilderness camps in a manner that does not conflict with public order and the principles of safety.

Environmental inspectors:
Officers appointed by a decision issued by the minister or the chairman of the board of directors of the center to police, investigate, and record violations of these rules, in accordance with the provisions of article 36 of the Environment Law.

Violation report:
The report prepared by the inspector, which includes the number and date of the report, the necessary data about the violator, the violation subject of the report, the response to it, the discussions, the inspections, the facts, the evidence, and all related procedures.

Article 2
Objective

These rules aim to regulate the activities of wilderness camping and activities directly related to it in accordance with the laws and regulations in the vegetation cover lands, and the lands allocated by the relevant entities for camping activities according to a coordination report to be prepared in this regard.

Article 3
Supervision and Implementation

The center shall supervise the organization of the activities of the wilderness camps in the vegetation cover lands and the activities related to them and take the following:

1․ Determining the locations, the capacity of each location, and the camping seasons, and announcing this in any means that the center deems appropriate.

2․ Determining the time periods for permits to practice camping activity in accordance with the schedule of time periods (Schedule 1).

3․ Receiving applications for a permit to practice a wilderness camping activity before the start of the camping season through the approved national camping platform within the specified legal period.

4․ Government entities that supervise lands allocated for wilderness camping may coordinate with the center to apply the provisions of these rules to them. According to a coordination report prepared in this regard.

5․ The chief executive officer of the center has the mandate to issue the necessary decisions to implement these rules.

6․ The chief executive officer of the center has the mandate to form standing or temporary committees from among the employees of the center or with the participation of any of the employees of the relevant entities when needed and to determine the tasks of those committees.

7․ Issuing decisions obligating the violator to remove the effects of the violation, rehabilitate, and pay compensation to repair the damage resulting from the damage, pollution, or degradation of the vegetation cover lands.

Article 4
Scope of Application

The provisions of these rules apply to every person who practices camping and recreational activities accompanying it in the vegetation cover lands, and it is taken into account after coordination with other relevant government entities when determining the sites designated for the exercise of those activities:

1․ The sites must be within vegetation cover lands or the lands allocated by the relevant entities for camping activities.

2․ That they are not within the scope or boundaries of pastures subject to grazing regulation.

3․ That they are not within the scope or boundaries of forests and areas of high environmental sensitivity.

4․ Distance from the beds and buffer zones of wadis and flood streams.

5․ The sites must be outside the border areas and their buffer zones.

6․ The site is not subject to afforestation projects that require care, and does not conflict with sites with existing or future projects.

Article 5
Types of Camps

Wilderness camps are classified according to the purpose of their use as follows:

1․ Individual camps:
Camps intended for the personal use of individuals or families for the purpose of recreation.

2․ Investment camps:
Camps designated for commercial or tourist use with the aim of achieving financial returns through the exercise of commercial or tourist activities or their equivalent.

3․ Government camps:
Camps designated for the use of government entities for official events, national celebrations, and their equivalent.

4․ Special business camps:
Camps used for other activities such as prospecting or exploration and their equivalent.

Article 6
Permit

1․ It is not permitted to practice the activity of wilderness camping except after obtaining a permit.

2․ The conditions and controls contained in the approved rules, conditions, and controls for the issuance of permits and licenses relating to vegetation cover lands (annex 1) hereby apply.

3․ The permit must be granted electronically through the approved electronic camping platform at the request of the beneficiary after completing the conditions and controls.

4․ The permit expires at the end of its term.

5․ It is permitted in day outing to use individual outing supplies for a period not exceeding 24 hours, while adhering to the Environment Law and regulations, annex 3.

6․ It is not permitted to wildnernass camp in locations other than those specified by the center or the relevant entity supervising the lands allocated for camping.

7․ The beneficiary must be granted one individual camping permit in one location during one season, and he is not entitled to obtain more than one permit in one or multiple locations during one season.

8․ The permittee shall comply with the requirements contained in the permit.

Article 7
Areas

The area specified for each wilderness camp based on the uses of the camp and the sites specified for wildnerness camping by the center or the relevant entities are as follows:

1․ Individual camps must not exceed an area of 2,000 square meters per camp.

2․ The area of the investment camps must be in accordance with the area specified in the site investment contract.

3․ Government camps and special business camps must have an area according to the required area and not exceeding 20,000 square meters per camp.

4․ It is permitted, by a decision of the center, to increase or reduce the specified areas as required by the public interest.

Article 8
Permits of Supervising Entities

Activities that require licenses, such as tourism, service, commercial, entertainment, sports, or other activities, must obtain a municipal license and the necessary licenses from the entity supervising the activity before submitting an application for granting a camping permit to the center.

Article 9
Obligations

The permittee shall comply with the following:

1․ Establishing and building the camp in the specified location and area specified in the permit or as specified by the competent officer at the site.

2․ Establishing and building the camp within the period specified by the center from the date of issuance of the permit, and removing it within a period not exceeding ten days from the expiry of the permit.

3․ Keeping the permit in the designated location to present it to the inspectors upon request.

4․ Providing health and safety tools to prevent fires or the occurrence of danger.

5․ Removing, transporting, and disposing of waste periodically in a manner that does not violate the provisions of the relevant laws and regulations, or paying the financial compensation for its removal and transportation, if any.

6․ Using the designated routes for vehicles to reach or exit the camping site, parking vehicles within the camp boundaries, and avoiding the closure of roads and pathways.

Article 10
Prohibitions

It is prohibited to carry out any of the acts that violate the law and regulations, and it is also prohibited to carry out any of the following acts:

1․ Violating the Public Decency Regulation and any other relevant laws or regulations.

2․ Cutting trees or shrubs, pouring any harmful substances on them, logging, or grazing.

3․ Lighting fire using local firewood and charcoal or lighting fire in places not designated for it in accordance with the provisions and directives issued by the center in this regard.

4․ The erection of any fences of dirt, iron barriers, or nets. It is permitted to use the canvas to create barriers with a height not exceeding three meters around the area designated for camping.

5․ Establishing any installations or works that prevent the flow of flood water or lead to soil erosion or the use of any cement or asphalt materials inside or outside the camp boundaries.

6․ Planting or spreading seeds in the site specified for camping or outside it except after obtaining a license.

7․ Drilling groundwater wells to extract water.

8․ Using generators, wiring, and electrical devices that do not conform to Saudi standard specification.

9․ Using drones and the like for photography without a license from the supervising entity.

Article 11
Fees

Fees for the issuance of permits and services:

1․ The fees for the issuance and renewal of wilderness camp permits must be in accordance with the schedule of fees for the issuance and renewal of permits (schedule 2).

2․ The fee for the services implemented in the sites according to the comparative advantage of each site, and the permittee benefits from it. The fee for it must be determined by a decision of the chief executive officer.

3․ Payment of the fee for permits or services through the means specified by the center.

Article 12
Control and Inspection

1․ The inspectors of the center shall undertake periodic monitoring of the camps to ensure compliance.

2․ The inspectors of the center shall control environmental violations in accordance with the provisions of the Environment Law and its executive regulations.

3․ The supervising entity shall undertake the monitoring of the activities subject to its supervision at the camp sites.

Article 13
Compensation

In the event that the permittee commits any act that results in damage affecting the environment or vegetation cover lands, he shall rehabilitate or pay the necessary compensation in accordance with a decision issued by the center in accordance with the provisions of the Environment Law and its executive regulations.

Article 14
Transfer or Assignment of the Permit

It is not permitted to transfer or assign the permit except with the approval of the center. It is not permitted for those authorized to camp individually or governmentally or private business camps to rent the camp or practice any commercial or investment activity except after obtaining the approval of the center and the entity supervising the site.

Article 15
Withdrawal or Cancellation of the License

1․ The center may withdraw the permit in the event that false data is submitted.

2․ The center may cancel the permit in the event that the permittee uses the camp for a purpose other than the authorized purpose.

Article 16
Entry Into Force

The provisions of these rules apply from the date of their adoption and publication in the official gazette.

Schedule 1
Time Periods for Wilderness Camp Permits

No	Type of Camp		Permit Duration		Notes
			Permit Issuance	Permit Renewal
1	Individual camps	Short term	One to ten days	One to ten days	The renewal period must not exceed 180 days
		Whole season	Three months	Three months
2	Investment camps	Temporary contract (seasonal)	Six months	Six months	The duration of the contract must be taken into account
		Short or long term contract	Three years	Three years	The duration of the contract must be taken into account
3	Special business camps	Temporary contract	Six months	Six months	The duration of the contract must be taken into account
		Annual contract	One year	One year
4	Government camps	National and security events	Three months	Three months	The renewal period must not exceed 180 days
		Special event for entities and their employees	Three months	Three months

Schedule 2
Fees for Issuance and Renewal of Permits

No	Type of Camp		Permit Duration		Notes
			Permit Issuance	Permit Renewal
1	Individual camps	Short term	Free	Free	Permit Duration
		Whole season	Three months	Three months
2	Investment camps	Temporary contract (seasonal)	500 Riyal	500 Riyal	The duration of the contract must be taken into account
		Short or long term contract	1,200 Riyal	1,200 Riyal	During the contract period every three years
3	Special business camps	Temporary contract	400 Riyal	400 Riyal	The duration of the contract must be taken into account and renewed for a similar period
		Annual contract	800 Riyal	800 Riyal
4	Government camps	National and security events	Free	Free	Renewed for a maximum of a similar period
		Special event for entities and their employees	500 Riyal	500 Riyal

Annex A
Camping Controls and Requirements from the Manual of Rules, Conditions, and Controls for the Issuance of Permits and Licenses Relating to Vegetation Cover Lands Approved by the Board of Directors of the Center

Permit for Camping in Vegetation Cover Lands
General Controls (Procedures that Determine the Practice of the Activity and Obtaining a Licence or Permit)	– It is prohibited to practice the activity except after obtaining a license. – The center shall decide on the license application within 30 working days from the date of registering the application with the center. – The center shall issue the license, including the required conditions. – The license must be issued after payment of the fee (if any). – Determining the camping sites from the center according to survey plans that determine the plots and the area of each plot. – The licensee shall comply with the controls and requirements.
General Requirements (the Justifications That Entitle the Person to Submit the Application)	– National identity of individuals. – Commercial Registration of Establishments. – National Address. – Filling out the license application form. – Providing security and safety tools according to the requirements of the civil defense. – The license holder shall practice the camping activity within the site specified for him. – The license holder shall not rent the camp. – The center has the right to withdraw the license if the data is incorrect or untrue. – The center has the right to request the cancellation of the license from the committee in the event of violation of the provisions of the Environment Law or the executive regulation. – The center has the right to request any other documents or information.
Special Requirements (technical or Administrative Instructions Relating to the Practice of the Activity and Compliance with Them)	– The camping period must not exceed three months. – A single beneficiary shall not obtain more than one camp in all locations designated for camping. – The maximum area of one camp site is 2,000 square meters. – It is prohibited to park vehicles on streets and pathways, and they must be parked inside the camp site with the placement of guidance traffic signs indicating this. – Staying away from highways, high-voltage power lines of electricity and public service facilities (communications – electricity – oil – gas stations – water) at a distance of not less than 100 meters. – Signing the necessary undertakings.
Note	– The center has the right to add or amend any of the general or special controls and requirements. They are effective after their publication in the gazette.


General Controls (Procedures that Determine the Practice of the Activity and Obtaining a Licence or Permit)	– It is prohibited to practice the activity except after obtaining a license. – The center shall decide on the license application within 30 working days from the date of registering the application with the center. – The center shall issue the license including the required conditions. – The license must be issued after payment of the fee (if any). – The licensee shall comply with the controls and requirements.
General Requirements (the Justifications That Entitle the Person to Submit the Application)	– A commercial registration showing the activity. – The existence of an investment contract for the site in the vegetation cover lands. – A license from the Ministry of Tourism for tourist accommodation activity. – National identification. – National address. – Filling out the license application form. – Providing security and safety tools according to the requirements of the Civil Defense. – The license holder shall practice the camping activity within the site specified for him. – The center has the right to withdraw the license if the data is incorrect or untrue. – The center has the right to request the cancellation of the license from the committee in the event of violation of the provisions of the Environment Law or the executive regulation. – The center has the right to request any other documents or information.
Special Requirements (Technical or Administrative Instructions Relating to the Practice of the Activity and Compliance with it)	– The license is granted based on the area specified in the investment contract. – The area is determined according to investment contracts. – It is prohibited to park vehicles on streets and pathways, and they must be parked inside the camp site with the placement of guidance traffic signs indicating this. – Staying away from highways, high-voltage power lines of electricity and public service facilities (communications – electricity – oil – gas stations – water) at a distance of not less than 100 meters. – Not to violate the Environment Law and its executive regulations. – Signing the necessary undertakings.
Note	– The center has the right to add or amend any of the general or special controls and requirements. They are effective after their publication in the gazette.

Annex 2 Individual Outing Supplies That Are Not Camping Tools	Annex 3 Forms of Camps, Caravans and Mobile Homes
Sleeping bag	Hair tent

Air tent	Mobile homes

Overnight tent	Motor home

Car side awning	Caravans

	Mobile homes