Urgent measures sought to stop driving on beaches
Increasing incidents of vehicles being driven and parked on beaches in Muscat have sparked concern and outrage among residents and nature enthusiasts. A recent inspection by Muscat Daily of popular beaches, including North al Hail and Seeb Souq, found several instances of illegal vehicular activity on beaches.
Residents like Nasser al Balushi from Seeb expressed dismay over the blatant disregard for public spaces, noting the disturbance it causes to families seeking a peacefully and leisurely time at the beach. "It is disheartening to see cars on beaches, disrupting the peaceful environment," Balushi said. He emphasised the need for community involvement and stricter enforcement to preserve these vital natural and tourist assets.
Muscat Municipality has put up warning signs along affected beaches, cautioning against such activities. Despite these warnings, instances of unauthorised driving continue, prompting calls for more robust enforcement measures. Salim al Araimi from Ghubra described the behaviour as "uncivilised" and detrimental to both marine ecosystems and visitor safety.
According to Haitham al Kharousi, lack of surveillance results in such behaviour. "Installing cameras could help monitor and curtail these activities effectively," he suggested. He expressed dismay at the disregard of some visitors for the environment. “Despite ample parking facilities provided by the municipality, they insist on parking on the beach.”
Rashid Saqaria, another Muscat resident, echoed the opinion seeking tougher legislation, stressing the urgency of enforcing laws to deter people from driving on beaches. "Warning signs are not enough. We need laws that are strictly enforced to protect our environment; otherwise, our natural heritage could suffer irreparable damage," Saqaria said.
In response to the public outcry, Muscat Municipality reaffirmed its commitment to tackling this issue. It stated that as per Article 3 of the local regulations, driving vehicles and riding bikes on beaches are punishable offences, which can result in fines of up to RO100 or imprisonment of up to two months.
The municipality urged the public to cooperate by reporting any violations on its hotline – 1111 - to help protect public spaces and maintain the integrity and beauty of the governorate’s beaches.
This escalating problem highlights the significance of social and individual responsibilities, with community members and authorities calling for immediate action to safeguard Oman’s coastal treasures for future generations.
Warning signs are not enough. We need laws that are strictly enforced to protect our environment; otherwise, our natural heritage could suffer irreparable damage
RASHID SAQARIA