Kuwait hikes fines for harming environment

Kuwait has reiterated its warning to people to limit their barbecues to allocated areas, saying that violators will be forced to pay KD1,000 fines. The new fines mark a dramatic increase from the KD100 previously imposed for breaking the rules on barbecue locations. The authorities decided to increase the fine after they noted that some citizens and residents were not deterred by the soft penalties and did not abide by the public cleanliness laws, Ahmad Al Sebeeh, the Director-General of Kuwait Municipality, told Kuwait News Agency (Kuna). "There are specific locations for barbecuing in 144 public parks and grilling is restricted to these places, "Al Sebeeh said. "Municipal teams will monitor compliance with the law. Kuwaitis and expatriates must abstain from inflicting damage on public properties, such as the seaside green spots, and must avoid random barbecuing, dumping of ashes on plants and littering." The state is spending millions of dinars on recreations, upgrading landscaping and ensuring the well-being of the people, he said.