Sharjah: Fines of up to Dh50,000 announced for environmental violations

Sharjah - The fine is doubled if violations are repeated.

By Web Report

Published: Mon 22 Feb 2021, 1:03 PM

Last updated: Mon 22 Feb 2021, 1:08 PM

Nine types of anti-environment violations have been defined in Sharjah, with fines of up to Dh50,000.

Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler and Chairman of the Executive Council of Sharjah, issued a resolution to this effect based on a proposal by the Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA).

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List of fines

>> Dh10,000: Hunting, transporting, killing, or harming wild or marine creatures in natural reserves, or actions that would eliminate them, unless this is done in accordance with the rules specified by the laws, regulations and decisions.

>> Dh10,000: Taking any organisms or transporting organic materials such as rocks and soil for any purpose.

>> Dh10,000: Introduction of (unnatural) species into natural reserves.

>> Dh10,000: Damaging or destroying geological or geographical formations or areas that are considered natural habitats of species of life or plants.

>> Dh50,000: Polluting the soil, water, or air of natural reserves.

>> Dh10,000: Cutting down trees or plants, destroying them, or removing the soil inside natural reserves.

>> Dh5,000: Entering reserves or being inside them without official permission from the Environment and Protected Areas Authority.

>> Dh10,000: Practising activities that affect environment around natural reserves due to activities by companies or people.

>> Dh10,000: Anything that would disturb the natural balance of nature reserves.

Repeat violations

The fine is doubled in case the violation is repeated. He/she will be referred to the legal bodies concerned for a third-time violation.

Violators will pay for the fixing the damages they cause.

The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) has hailed the resolution that will protect the biological diversity at nature reserves in the Emirate.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the EPAA, said: “We affirm the importance of, and fully support this decision ... We will continue ... protecting the environment, and implement this decision strictly to protect the environment."