KUWAIT CITY, Jan 15: The Environment Public Authority, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and Kuwait Municipality, identified seven environmental violations in the Al-Wafra and Arifjan desert areas of southern Kuwait on Thursday during an inspection campaign targeting desert campsites.

Sheikha Al-Ibrahim, Director of Public Relations and Media at the Authority, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the joint campaign aimed to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and the Environmental Protection Law. Camps found in violation of regulations were issued citations and removed.

Al-Ibrahim said 11 campsites were cited under Articles 33, 40, and 41 of the Environmental Protection Law, which cover waste disposal, the use of construction materials harmful to the desert environment, and other violations of environmental rules.

She explained that Article 33 prohibits dumping garbage or waste outside designated containers, with fines ranging from 50 to 500 Kuwaiti dinars. Article 40 forbids activities that damage soil, affect its natural properties, or pollute the land, with fines ranging from 250 to 5,000 dinars. Violators must also remove any damage, or the Authority will do so at the violator’s expense.

Article 41 prohibits grazing, irrigated agriculture, or any action that could harm vegetation, cause desertification, or degrade the environment. It also bans the destruction of crops, plants, trees, and flowers in public areas, except for authorized development projects. Violators face fines of 250 to 5,000 dinars and are required to compensate for any uprooted green spaces.

Al-Ibrahim stressed the importance of adhering to the Environmental Protection Law and its executive regulations to preserve the environment and maintain sustainability. She urged citizens and residents to camp only in designated areas, obtain necessary permits, and protect Kuwait’s terrestrial environment.