Times of Oman

Litter and be ready to pay fine, campers told

People found littering campsites in Dhofar will be fined and the car number plate of motorists seen throwing garbage will be reported to the Royal Oman Police, the authoritie­s have warned

- HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

MUSCAT: With the advent of the camping season, the Dhofar Municipali­ty has urged visitors coming to Salalah to keep the environmen­t clean.

“People, who are found littering campsites in Dhofar, will be fined,” Abdullah Sabah, director of the Camps Supervisin­g Committee of the Dhofar Municipali­ty said.

He added that if the committee officials spot a motorist throwing garbage, they will report the car’s number plate to the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

From June 21 till August 31, tourists from different parts of the world flock to the southern city to enjoy its greenery and foggy beaches.

However, many campers have been seen carelessly littering the city’s major tourist attraction­s.

According to Sabah, tourists are not allowed to camp outside designated campsites.

“It is a violation of the law to bring your own tent and camp without permission,” he noted, adding that this could lead to a fine and the confiscati­on of the tent.

Camping rules

According to the law, campers are not allowed to disturb neighbouri­ng camps by making loud noises, putting on bright lights or with their bad behaviour.

Bachelors are also not allowed to camp in family campsites, Sabah explained.

He said wastebaske­ts have been installed at every tourist attraction and committee officials provide bags to campers for their trash.

The municipali­ty had announced the beginning of the camping season on Monday.

It is worth mentioning that more Asian nationals visit Salalah than Omanis, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Informatio­n (NCSI).

Citing data provided by the NCSI, around 58,867 tourists had visited the southern city until Saturday, July 9.

Breaking down the figure, 23,636 visitors were of Asian nationalit­y, compared with 20,909 Omanis.

Emirati citizens topped the number of Gulf Cooperatio­n Council (GCC) tourists at 5,628, compared with 2,179 Saudis.

Around 482 Qataris, 512 Kuwaitis, 566 Bahrainis and 4,041 other Arabs visited Salalah during the same period.

About 349 people from a diverse group of nations have also travelled to Salalah since June 20 according to available data.

 ?? –File photo ?? KHAREEF SEASON: From June 21 till August 31, tourists from different parts of the world flock to Salalah to enjoy its greenery and foggy beaches.
–File photo KHAREEF SEASON: From June 21 till August 31, tourists from different parts of the world flock to Salalah to enjoy its greenery and foggy beaches.
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