Latest news with #EnvironmentalProtectionLaw
Muscat Daily
20-07-2025
- Muscat Daily
ROP, Environment Authority target unsafe tourist practices in Dhofar
Muscat –Environment Authority has taken action against a tourism company for damaging vegetation in Wadi Darbat, a key natural site in Dhofar visited by thousands during the annual khareef season. According to the authority, a seizure report was filed after specialists observed that the company had driven four-wheel-drive vehicles and a large truck across vegetated areas, causing environmental damage. The violation was recorded under Article 21 of the Environmental Protection Law, which prohibits acts that harm natural ecosystems. The incident comes amid wider efforts to safeguard natural sites during the monsoon-driven khareef season, which draws large crowds to Salalah and its surroundings. ROP issues safety reminder In a parallel campaign, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has stepped up awareness and enforcement following a rise in unsafe behaviour observed during this year's tourist influx. In a public advisory accompanied by awareness visuals, the ROP warned against reckless acts such as passengers exiting moving vehicles through sunroofs or windows — an offence that carries legal penalties. 'Such actions are not just dangerous, they are punishable by law,' the ROP stated. The police also raised concerns about vehicles being parked on sloped or fog-prone shoulders, which pose a hazard to motorists and pedestrians alike. A photo shared by the ROP showed a vehicle parked at the edge of a drop-off, accompanied by the caption: 'Be responsible — avoid hazardous locations.' Child safety near water bodies is also emphasised. Families are urged not to leave children unattended around ponds, lakes or streams commonly visited during khareef. 'A moment of distraction can cost dearly,' the advisory warned. Authorities further reminded tourists that driving with obscured or dirty number plates constitutes a traffic offence. 'A clean vehicle reflects your awareness and responsibility,' the statement said. The campaigns by the Environment Authority and the ROP are part of a broader effort to prevent accidents and environmental degradation during the peak tourism period in southern Oman. Both agencies have called on visitors to respect local laws and cooperate with authorities to ensure a safe and sustainable experience.
Muscat Daily
20-07-2025
- Muscat Daily
Air ambulance transports injured citizens after Haima rollover accident
Muscat –Environment Authority has taken action against a tourism company for damaging vegetation in Wadi Darbat, a key natural site in Dhofar visited by thousands during the annual khareef season. According to the authority, a seizure report was filed after specialists observed that the company had driven four-wheel-drive vehicles and a large truck across vegetated areas, causing environmental damage. The violation was recorded under Article 21 of the Environmental Protection Law, which prohibits acts that harm natural ecosystems. The incident comes amid wider efforts to safeguard natural sites during the monsoon-driven khareef season, which draws large crowds to Salalah and its surroundings. ROP issues safety reminder In a parallel campaign, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has stepped up awareness and enforcement following a rise in unsafe behaviour observed during this year's tourist influx. In a public advisory accompanied by awareness visuals, the ROP warned against reckless acts such as passengers exiting moving vehicles through sunroofs or windows — an offence that carries legal penalties. 'Such actions are not just dangerous, they are punishable by law,' the ROP stated. The police also raised concerns about vehicles being parked on sloped or fog-prone shoulders, which pose a hazard to motorists and pedestrians alike. A photo shared by the ROP showed a vehicle parked at the edge of a drop-off, accompanied by the caption: 'Be responsible — avoid hazardous locations.' Child safety near water bodies is also emphasised. Families are urged not to leave children unattended around ponds, lakes or streams commonly visited during khareef. 'A moment of distraction can cost dearly,' the advisory warned. Authorities further reminded tourists that driving with obscured or dirty number plates constitutes a traffic offence. 'A clean vehicle reflects your awareness and responsibility,' the statement said. The campaigns by the Environment Authority and the ROP are part of a broader effort to prevent accidents and environmental degradation during the peak tourism period in southern Oman. Both agencies have called on visitors to respect local laws and cooperate with authorities to ensure a safe and sustainable experience.
Arab Times
14-07-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait launches 'Green Schools' guide to promote sustainability in schools
KUWAIT CITY, July 14: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) unveiled the comprehensive 'Green Schools' guide on Sunday, aiming to assist schools in adopting best environmental practices and enhancing awareness to support sustainable development. The announcement came at the conclusion of KEPS's 14th annual Green Schools educational awareness program. KEPS Chairperson Dr. Wijdan Al-Oqab highlighted that the guide offers a detailed framework for waste management, energy and water conservation, and the promotion of green spaces within school environments. Dr. Al-Oqab explained that the guide provides both technical and educational guidelines to establish school environmental clubs, encouraging active participation from students and teachers in sustainability initiatives. It also outlines mechanisms to measure environmental performance through clear criteria and periodic assessments. The annual program primarily targeted teachers from public and private schools, empowering them to spread environmental and health awareness within their institutions. Throughout the school year, workshops and lectures were conducted to foster values of environmental citizenship and public health among students. Stressing the importance of science and environmental consciousness in achieving sustainable development goals, Dr. Al-Oqab affirmed that the guide equips schools with practical tools to launch initiatives that promote a healthy, sustainable educational environment grounded in environmental values and scientific awareness. Jenan Bahzad, Secretary-General of KEPS and Director of Programs and Activities, noted that approximately 2,000 teachers and students from schools nationwide participated in this year's program. Topics included environmental analysis, sustainable resource management, and the implementation of Kuwait's Environmental Protection Law. Bahzad added that the program maintained continuous engagement through field visits and online workshops to ensure broad access and direct interaction with educators. She outlined the program's strategic objectives, which aim to strengthen schools as micro-communities capable of transmitting scientific and environmental knowledge to both students and the wider local community. The initiative also seeks to embed a culture of sustainability within schools as a foundation for lasting environmental stewardship. Looking ahead, Bahzad expressed hope that the Green Schools guide would serve as a catalyst for expanding KEPS's collaboration with the Ministry of Education and academic institutions. Plans include practical implementation in schools supported by training resources and interactive content. She praised this year's success in turning the partnership between government and civil society into measurable impact within Kuwaiti schools. The launch of the guide marks a significant step toward transforming environmental knowledge into daily practices and sustainable institutional education.
Shafaq News
23-05-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Beyond acceptable limits: Iraq's noise levels threaten mental health
Shafaq News/ Iraq is facing a growing public health threat from noise pollution, according to Samim Salam, head of the Al-Furat Environmental Center, who on Thursday called for urgent collective action to reduce harmful noise levels across the country. Speaking to Shafaq News, Salam identified multiple sources of noise pollution in Iraq, including transportation (cars, trucks, motorcycles), industrial activities (factories, heavy machinery), construction work (drilling and demolition), aviation (helicopters and jet engines), and even domestic appliances such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines. Quoting guidelines from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Salam noted that acceptable noise levels range from 30–40 decibels in educational institutions, 40–60 dB in residential areas, and above 60 dB in industrial zones—with many Iraqi environments exceeding these limits, putting people at risk. He emphasized the serious health effects of long-term exposure to noise, including hearing loss, stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, all of which negatively impact mental health and performance at work or school. To combat the issue, Salam urged several measures, such as using personal protective equipment (earplugs or noise-canceling headphones), and enforcing public noise regulations. He referenced Article 16 of Iraq's Environmental Protection Law No. 27 of 2009, which mandates the identification of noise sources and calls for preventive action to safeguard public health. He also stressed the importance of urban design in reducing noise, such as developing green spaces, and raising public awareness about the dangers of noise exposure. 'Fighting noise pollution is vital for protecting public health and improving quality of life,' Salam said, adding that success requires joint efforts from individuals, communities, and authorities, including accessible reporting tools like complaint hotlines. 'This approach strengthens environmental responsibility and lays the foundation for sustainable change,' he concluded.
Gulf Insider
08-04-2025
- General
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait's Waste Crisis Among World's Worst
Kuwait is facing an escalating waste crisis that activists say demands immediate, systemic change. As one of the world's highest per capita producers of organic waste, estimated at 1.4 kilos per person per day, the country is grappling with the environmental, health, and economic toll of a growing mountain of solid, liquid, and gaseous waste. Environmental leaders warn that without radical, sustainable solutions, Kuwait's waste problem will continue to worsen. 'We need to convert waste into electrical energy,' said Jenan Behzad, Secretary-General of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society. She called for a comprehensive policy shift, from expanding recycling infrastructure to raising public awareness about waste reduction. According to Behzad, Kuwait's reliance on consumption-heavy lifestyles, weak recycling practices, and continued dependence on landfills have created an unsustainable trajectory. The country currently uses three primary landfill sites, Jahra, the Seventh Southern Ring Road, and Mina Abdullah, to manage household waste. However, plastic packaging from supermarkets and restaurants is fuelling a surge in plastic waste, now comprising nearly 80 per cent of floating marine debris, threatening coastal ecosystems. Food waste, she added, is particularly acute during religious and national holidays. A recent study by the Kuwait Environment Protection Society revealed that food waste can spike significantly during Ramadan, with edible items often discarded in excess. In the Gulf region overall, food waste constitutes around 50 percent of total waste, a staggering figure. To combat this, Behzad called for the use of waste-to-energy thermal conversion technology and methane harvesting from organic waste to generate power. She also suggested biofuel production from discarded food, citing successful examples in Germany and Sweden. 'Solid waste contributes to 2.4 per cent of Kuwait's total greenhouse gas emissions,' she noted, adding that recycling and energy recovery could not only reduce pollution but also diversify the country's energy sources. A key part of the solution, she argued, lies in mandatory household and commercial waste sorting. Separate bins for plastics, paper, metals, and organic waste would improve collection and recycling rates. Behzad also proposed establishing government-run sorting stations in every governorate, with the private sector playing a central role in waste collection, sorting, and investing in recycling ventures. Despite existing laws, enforcement remains weak. 'The Environmental Protection Law imposes fines of up to 500 Kuwaiti dinars for dumping waste in undesignated areas,' she explained. 'Yet 58 percent of those surveyed by our society said they were unaware of the law's details.' Engineer Alaa Hassan, CEO of the International Petroleum Services Company (PSCO), described the waste issue as 'a ticking time bomb.' She criticized the lack of serious planning and pointed to the accumulation of between 8 and 10 million damaged tires annually. These tires, often left in open areas, represent a major environmental hazard. 'We must hold illegal dumpers accountable,' she said, urging private sector engagement in converting waste into raw industrial materials. Environmental activist Barak Ramadan Al Hindal echoed the call for change, emphasizing the untapped financial and employment potential of the recycling sector. He called for a cultural shift in waste management, beginning in homes and schools, extending to offices and hospitals. 'Many countries around the world have transformed waste into opportunity,' Al Hindal said. 'Kuwait must follow suit if we are serious about building a sustainable future.' For now, environmentalists agree that time is running out. Without bold reforms and public buy-in, Kuwait's waste crisis threatens to outpace the systems designed to manage it, posing long-term risks to the country's environment, economy, and public health. Also read: Senior Kuwaiti Officials Monitor Raffle Draw Amid Fraud Concerns
