The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) announced on Tuesday, 10 October 2023 the opening of the online registration for the annual Winter Camping Season for the year 2023-2024 for all regions of the country. The registration will be from 22 - 31 October 2023. The Winter Camping Season is set to begin on Nov. 1, 2023 and concludes on April 30, 2024.

During a press conference held on this occasion, the Ministry explained that registration processes will take place in three separate stages: where the registration for the central regions will be from 22 - 24 October, and for the southern regions from 25 - 27 October, while registration for the northern regions will be from 28 - 31 October 2023.

In this context, Director of Public Relations and Communications Department at the MoECC Mohammed Ahmed Al Dahi stated that the registration process will be through the official website of the MoECC, provided that the permit holder must pay permit fees within (6) hours of receiving the text message confirming the approval of the application. Otherwise, the application is considered invalid, and re-registration will be required.

He added that within the framework of its keenness to ensure that this years season is sustainable and to preserve the local environment in all regions of the country, and the diverse and distinct plant cover it contains, the Ministry has updated the conditions and obligations related to the camping process in all regions of the country.

He called upon all campers and desert enthusiasts to emphasize the importance of conserving the environment and safeguarding its natural resources. He stressed the significance of adhering to the conditions and regulations of the new Winter Camping Season 2023/2024. These regulations include compliance with designated coordinates for each camp and maintaining specific distances between camps, manors, farms, and villages. He pointed out that ministry teams would actively monitor the implementation of these conditions throughout the day to ensure the success of the camping season while preserving the local environment without any adverse impact on our local flora and fauna.

Head of the winter camping team at MoECC Fawzi Al Shammari stated that a person’s request to obtain the same camping site as the previous season is linked to the availability of the site and the priority of applying for it, if the permittee violates any of the Ministry’s conditions, the competent authority will have the right to remove the camp, noting the right of the MoECC to withdraw the environmental permit in the event of non-compliance with the aforementioned conditions.

He pointed out that the permit holders are not allowed to obtain more than one permit, and they must allow inspectors from the relevant authority to inspect the camp when requested to ensure compliance with the permit conditions. If the inspection is denied, the relevant authority can withdraw the permit. He stressed the need to comply with the laws and regulations related to environmental protection, including adhering to the designated campsite and specified camp areas, staying away from roads and valleys.

Al Shammari pointed out that the permit holders must start setting up the camp during the camping period in coordination with the ministry's inspector, who must be present during the setup. Renting or transferring the site is not allowed, as the permit is considered personal. It is also prohibited to use the permit for activities other than those authorized or to use materials harmful to the environment. He emphasized the importance of maintaining general cleanliness, not harming the wilderness or marine environment, ensuring that the camp is occupied and well-maintained, disposing of waste only in designated containers.

Assistant Director of Traffic Awareness Department at the Ministry of Interior Colonel Jaber Mohamed Rashid Odaiba stressed the importance of adhering to security and safety conditions when transporting cabins and "caravans" and transporting them after eight in the evening, and using main roads and cars suitable for the size of the cabins to avoid any accidents.
He also advised on the need to maintain cabins and "caravans" and ensure their safety and readiness before the transport process, with the necessity of obtaining permission from the Patrol Department in the Maamoura area for large cabins to be transported under the supervision of the Traffic Department to achieve the required safety on the road.

Source: QNA
Cover image credit: Shutterstock

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Fareeha Imtiaz

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