120 UAE residents fined in 2 months for flouting BBQ, environment rules

The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah and the Sharjah City Municipality have intensified inspections in a bid to rein in violations committed by campers and picnickers in the desert and green areas.

Hana Al Suwaidi, the chairperson of the EPAA, told Khaleej Times that the inspection teams were conducting raids to curb damages caused to the ecology.

The violations peak around this time of the year when residents and visitors go for outings the most taking advantage of the UAE’s pleasant weather.

Several visitors were fined for leaving food waste and residual barbecue charcoal, moving rocks, defacing pristine areas in the desert and damaging plants.

The inspectors have issued over 120 fines in October and November to picnickers and campers for violating environmental norms. Al Suwaidi said the teams were carrying out year-round awareness campaigns in a bid to preserve the environment.

Ban on BBQ on beaches, green areas and parks

The civic body officials said a ban was enforced for the use of barbecue and grilling at undesignated places on beaches, green areas and parks.

Picnickers and visitors who are found to be violating the rules will have to pay a fine of Dh500. The fine will increase with subsequent offences.

>> Dh1,000: Leaving animals on the loose in the wilderness