Fine for littering increased to Dh500 in Sharjah

An authority in Sharjah has hiked the fine for littering to Dh500 from Dh200, for those caught in violation of the rules for the first time.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah, said that the highest percentage of violations was throwing or leaving waste in outdoor areas.

The fine for logging is now Dh100, reported the Al Khaleej. This kind of violation usually takes place from September onwards, when people usually cut down Ghaf and Ziziphus (Sidr) trees.

"They sell the lumber from the tree worth Dh7,000 to Dh10,000," stated Al Suwaidi.

Three hundred violations were issued for unlawful barbecue in desert areas, a practice that prevents plants from growing in that area for a very long time.

Driving in undesignated areas in SUVs also causes harm to the environment.

This came during a press event held at the Sharjah Press Club attended by representatives of local newspapers at the Islamic Botanical Garden.