Quad bikers are no longer allowed to ride at the tourist sites in the desert and green camping areas in Ras Al Khaimah.
A senior official at the Environment and Development Authority (EDA) in RAK said the move is aimed at preserving the environment and protecting the natural resources here.
Dr Saif Al Ghais, Executive Director, EDA, stated that the ban shall be “enforced stringently” on all desert and green camping areas. Other sites have been specified for quad biking.
EDA has, in partnership with the RAK Department of Public Works and Services, the RAK Medical Zone, and the local and federal employees and students, launched an emirate-wide campaign to develop awareness about the importance of preserving natural resources. The drive, under the theme ‘the Bur is life and responsibility’, will boost loyalty, impart ideal values to students and young people, and positively involve them in significant environment activities, said the official.
Biking on the green and desert areas distorts the scenic image of camping sites, which attract not only Emiratis and residents from all emirates, but tourists and visitors as well, he added. “The authority has sent SMSes to all segments of the society to develop awareness of the same,” he noted.
Dr Mohammed Al Asam, Director-General of the RAK Municipality, said preserving the environment is the responsibility of all members and institutions of the society. “Local trees and natural areas are a real wealth (for our emirate) which we should all protect and develop.”
He warned that permission will not be given for constructing buildings in wild or camping areas. “A hefty fine shall be imposed on erring individuals or institutions.”
The RAK Police will deploy more traffic patrols at the said areas to ensure compliance with the set rules. Col Ali Saeed, Director of the RAK Traffic Police, said the motorbikes and quad bikes defying the ban will be impounded. As part of a three-month nationwide campaign launched on January 1, some 340 motorbikes have been impounded.
