Dubai: People defacing or damaging Sharjah’s mountainous areas will be fined Dh10,000, a new awareness campaign has warned residents and visitors.
Some of the violations that attract this heavy fine include drawings, writing and inscription on rocks, mountains and natural formations in mountainous areas, setting up any type of flag poles or sign poles, as well as relocation of rocks or mountain plants and changing the features of mountainous nature.
“Violators of this decree will be punished with a fine of Dh10,000, confiscation of the materials and tools used, and bearing the cost of removal of the damage done,” it was stated at a press conference on Thursday.
At the press conference held at the Cultural Centre in Khor Fakkan, the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) announced the launch of the third Awareness Campaign for the Visitors of Mountainous Areas in the emirate that will run until March 2017 under the theme “Let it be towering and sustainable!”
The EPAA unveiled the details, significance and role of the campaign, in the presence of Shaikh Saeed Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, deputy chairman of the Ruler’s Office in Khor Fakkan; Hana Al Suwaidi, chairperson of the EPAA; Colonel Mohammad Al Obed, director of the Police Department in the Eastern Region; Awatif Al Naqbi, in-charge of the Eastern Region in EPAA, and other officials.
Hana Al Suwaidi said: “Having witnessed the achievements of the two past campaigns, it is our pleasure to launch the 3rd Environmental Awareness Campaign for Visitors of Mountainous Areas. In view of the importance of the conservation of the environment in various areas, we will carry on organising awareness campaigns and initiatives under the wise directives of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and their support for the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity through issuing different environmental decrees — one being the Decree of the Executive Council No. 11 of 2014 regarding the prohibition of distortion of mountainous areas in the emirate.”
She also stressed that environmental awareness campaigns in mountainous areas in particular, and various sites in general, are a noble mission that aims to educate the public on how to properly deal with mountainous areas and refrain from abuse, pollution and misbehaviour.
Al Naqbi added that this year’s campaign includes a community awareness programme, a programme on environmental awareness for schools and universities, another programme for institutions, and a programme for visitors of mountainous areas.
She further indicated that several entities are collaborating with EPAA in running the campaign.
