Between September 22nd and October 20th 2016, the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) confiscated 119 devices, because their owners had committed environmental offences in wilderness areas.
EPAA work teams specialised in wilderness areas managed to file 12 different environmental offences during the period between August 23rd and October 16th. Nine of these offences were general violations, which include the dumping of debris, waste and remains of food in wilderness areas, contrary to local and federal regulations for environmental protection, in addition to one violation connected with predators. The fines varied from AED 500 for barbecue offences to AED 100,000 for offences connected with predators.
HE Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), said: “We are eager to conserve the natural environment and protect it from any destruction or contamination as a result of human activities. We also seek increase public awareness about environmental protection to reduce violations of visitors to wilderness and mountainous areas.”
She emphasised the monumental importance of conserving the environment in various areas, which is why the EPAA is organising comprehensive public awareness campaigns that target all members of society. These initiatives are in accordance with the directives of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who is constantly working on providing endless support for environmental protection endeavours, conserving wilderness areas and its biodiversity.
Al Suwaidi pointed out that these campaigns and initiatives are essential to educating the public in practices for conserving the environment in general and protecting wilderness areas in particular. Preventing human activities that contaminate and pollute environment is in keeping with EPAA’s objective to create a culture of social responsibility in natural environments and protect local botanical diversity in mountainous environments. This can only be achieved by increasing awareness and abiding by EPAA’s instructions as well as local and federal laws related to the environment and its conservation.