Inspection visits to activities with high environmental impact rose by 145% during the 1447 AH Hajj season compared with last year, the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) reported.

The center credited the jump to satellite technology backed by artificial intelligence (AI), which improved its response to environmental reports in the most sensitive parts of the area around the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites.

NCEC CEO Ali Al-Ghamdi said this year's monitoring drew on more than 200 satellite images giving daily readings of environmental conditions. A team of specialists reviewed AI-generated reports comparing conditions before and after violations.

Inspection teams handled more than 100 environmental reports, half of which (50%) came through satellite systems, allowing teams to be deployed more precisely and efficiently. More than 2,300 laboratory analyses were also carried out in Makkah and Madinah, he said.

Al-Ghamdi added that the center will keep using satellite imagery to monitor all designated sites and will carry out more than 1,800 analyses of soil and water after pilgrims leave, to keep environmental conditions sustainable and protect their natural character.