Ahmed Al Hammadi, director-general of the department, said the move will help keep the coasts and beaches of the emirate clean. "The decision will also help protect the local environment and the scenic view of the coasts here."
Many beach-goers leave behind charcoal and waste after a barbecue session, he added. "This is not acceptable any more. Anyone caught doing this shall be strictly penalised."
A fine of Dh500 is slapped on those found littering in public places.
Barbecue is not banned on public beaches, Al Hammadi clarified. "It is only banned on the sands of beaches and coasts of the emirate." He urged residents to not leave behind barbecue waste on beach sand.
The department of public works has added this practice to its list of environmental violations, he said. Staff inspectors of the Raqib patrols will be watching over the beaches to curb anti-environment violations, he warned.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com