With temperatures dropping in the country, people are venturing out for outdoor activities such as camping, especially on the beaches and waterfronts on the Muscat-Sur coastal road.
To regularise the activity, Muscat Municipality last week said that it is not permissible to camp, including caravans and tents, for a period of more than 48 hours, unless with approval from a competent directorate after paying a security deposit of RO100.
The licence will be valid for a period of seven nights, which can be extended, and the application for which will be received on November 13.
The municipality has also come out with guidelines to be followed, which include camping in places specified by the municipality. There should be a distance not less than 5 metres between campsites and a reasonable gap between the camping site and the beach.
The camping site should be kept away from the sites of fishermen and the sites prohibited by security. It should be at least 100 metres away from residential neighbourhoods.
At all times, the cleanliness of the assigned site must be during the period of use.
The use of mobile toilets that carry unsanitary specifications and standards will be prohibited. Care must be taken to avoid damage to crops and wild plants.
Other restrictions included not erecting dirt barriers or any kind of modifications in the natural environment of the camping site, not burning waste, and not lighting fires or barbecues in green areas and on beaches.
The licensee must provide security and safety equipment for each site during camping.
If a fence is used around the site, it must be made of temporary materials and not obscure the view. Campers must not use lasers and lights directed upwards. They should avoid using camp for prohibited purposes.
Campers should follow laws and regulations of the Sultanate of Oman.
The issued licence number must be installed on a plate on the front of the caravan, tent, or sitting area. The licensee must not assign the licence to others or camp in a site other than the site specified in the licence.
Car parks, entry, and exit to and from the site must be organised. An administrative fine of RO200 in the case of camping without obtaining the necessary licence.
An administrative fine of RO50 in the event of non-compliance with one of the special controls or requirements.
if the violation is repeated and the violator fails to implement the instructions, the caravan, tent or camping will be removed.
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