No. Feeding wild pigeons in Saudi Arabia violates municipal ordinances under the Environmental Law (Royal Decree M/165, 2020) and Riyadh Municipality’s 2023 Public Health Bylaws. The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) classifies such feeding as a form of wildlife disturbance, punishable under Article 34 of the Environmental Law with fines up to SAR 50,000 or imprisonment for repeat offenses.
Key Regulations for Feeding Wild Pigeons in Saudi Arabia
- Prohibition by Municipalities: Cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam enforce local bans via municipal councils, citing public health risks (e.g., disease transmission, property damage) under Law No. 21/1439 on Urban Hygiene.
- MEWA Enforcement: MEWA’s Wildlife Protection Regulation (2021) explicitly prohibits feeding feral birds, including pigeons, in urban or protected areas to prevent ecological imbalance.
- Penalties and Exceptions: Violations trigger fines (SAR 1,000–10,000) or confiscation of feed under Ministerial Decision No. 244/1442. Religious or cultural events may apply for temporary permits, but these are rare and require prior approval from local authorities.
Recent 2026 compliance shifts emphasize stricter surveillance, with municipal surveillance drones monitoring high-risk zones. Non-compliance risks escalation to the Public Prosecution under Anti-Littering Law (2022), which may impose community service or vehicle impoundment for repeat offenders.