SHARJAH // Late-night camping by the roadside and on beaches is common practice in the Northern Emirates but the waste left behind is causing problems for desert wildlife.
Litter can end up in the stomachs of camels, goats or gazelles, leaving them unable to digest their food, which can prove fatal.
A drive north on the E311 reveals countless bags of litter strewn by the roadside, which, in addition to looking unsightly, also poses huge risk for animals, experts said.
Dead camels, goats, gazelles and even marine life such as turtles have been found to have plastic in their abdomen after eating litter left in the desert or on beaches.
As the photograph suggests, even road-side dumpsters left open are an invitation to feast for wild camels.
Jane Budd, head veterinarian at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Wildlife, said that these incidents are not new. She has seen plastic in dead animals during post-mortem examinations.
“We received so may cases of these. We found plastic, which can’t be broken down in their gastric system and gets stuck and, over time, the animals can’t digest nutrition they eat due to the amount of plastic in their bodies,” she said.
“We have seen many cases of camels, goats, gazelles with plastic in their abdomen.”
Littering is punishable by hefty fines. In Ajman, litter bugs can face fines of Dh10,000 and it is Dh2,000 in Sharjah.
“With the current weather conditions, more people are going camping in Sharjah. Inspectors have been deployed especially on weekends to warn and fine people who are disturbing the wildlife and littering,” said Hana Al Suwaidi, director of Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority.
“Over the weekends, our inspectors are fining 20 to 30 individuals for littering in the desert areas of the emirate.”
Shepards who allow their camels to go astray also face a fine, of Dh1,000, in Sharjah.
“Camels should have a shepherd with them as they graze. He should make sure the animals are feeding on grass or trees, [and stopping them from eating] rubbish and other items that might be dangerous to their health,” said Ms Al Suwaidi.
Litter left on beaches and in the sea also causes problems for marine life.
Fadi Yaghmour, scientific researcher at Sharjah EPAA, said: “Turtles, as an example, does not differentiate between a jelly fish and a plastic bag - they eat the plastic found and, ultimately, cause its death.
“[Even] picking up sea shells from the beach can hurt the hermit crab, as they use the shells for protection from predators.
“For beachgoers, I urge them to take only pictures on the beach and leave behind only their footprints when they leave, to be able to protect the environment.”
Sharjah is taking action on those that damage wildlife. One law sees fines of between Dh1,000 and Dh50,000 for anyone intruding on wildlife but, as well as punishment, educating the public is important, said Ms Al Suwaidi.
“Community involvement in environment protection and biodiversity conservation in Sharjah and the UAE is instrumental to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations. This community contribution is particularly significant as our environment has a unique variety of rare and endangered species,” she said.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024. It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine. Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages]. The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts. With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians. Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved. Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world. The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
