New rules govern the winter desert tent cities in Dubai

Dubai Municipality issued new rules governing desert camping sites in October last year.

DUBAI // The civic body ordered the removal of 185 tent camps in the desert during the winter.

Yusuf Abdulla Al Marzooqi, the acting director of Dubai Municipality's Building Department, said the camps were dismantled for breaking various rules including a new rule requiring campers to obtain a licence.

"Some of them failed to comply with the building rules and regulations in force in Dubai while others had to face action for their shortcomings in fulfilling environment and safety requirements," said Mr Al Marzooqi.

Rules for winter camps were introduced in October last year to monitor the health, safety and environmental impact of the tent cities that are traditionally erected in the desert when the weather cools.

There were 554 licences issued in the past winter, according to Jabir Ahmed Al Ali, the head of the building inspection section.

"We have to protect our desert areas, which have the lion's share of our total environment," said Mr Al Marzooqi. "So Dubai Municipality formed a special team to inspect the camp areas frequently to ensure that nothing harmful to the environment is happening there."