Ras Al Khaimah logs 1,594 violations

Ras Al Khaimah’s Public Services Department said on May 24 that inspection teams working under its “Raqeb” environmental monitoring service had handled more than 1,594 environmental violations since the start of 2026. Gulf News, citing Al Bayan newspaper, said the cases were recorded across beaches, desert areas and other natural sites in the emirate as authorities prepared for higher visitor traffic during the Eid Al Adha holiday. (gulfnews.com) Khaled Fadl Al Ali, director general of the department, said the violations included lighting fires or barbeques directly on the ground, littering outside designated disposal areas and damaging natural sites. (gulfnews.com) He said authorities were urging both residents and visitors to use the Raqeb service to report offences and help preserve the emirate’s coastal and desert environment. ### Why are officials talking about the violations now? Eid Al Adha travel is the immediate backdrop for the warning. Gulf News reported that the department issued the appeal as Ras Al Khaimah expected a surge in visitors to beaches and natural areas during the holiday break. Officials said the campaign was aimed at reducing environmentally harmful behaviour at popular outdoor sites. (gulfnews.com) Al Ali said public participation had become part of the enforcement model. He described Raqeb as a tool for strengthening environmental oversight through community reporting, according to Gulf News and an earlier department statement on the same service. (gulfnews.com) ### What kinds of violations were recorded? The largest single category cited in the May 24 report was illegal fire and barbeque activity. Gulf News said authorities recorded 535 violations linked to lighting fires or barbeques directly on fixed or movable surfaces without approved equipment or outside designated areas. Another 221 violations were issued for spitting, dumping or improperly disposing of personal waste, while 210 more fell under separate littering offences, the report said. (gulfnews.com) The article said the broader list also included damage to natural sites and other environmental offences in coastal and desert zones. ### Why does Raqeb matter in Ras Al Khaimah? Raqeb is the Public Services Department’s environmental monitoring service for recording and following up on infringements in natural, beach and tourist areas. A department statement from July 2024 said the patrols had logged 1,992 violations in the first half of that year, showing that the service is used as a standing inspection and enforcement channel rather than a one-off holiday campaign. (gulfnews.com) The official environmental framework in Ras Al Khaimah also includes the Environment Protection and Development Authority, whose website lists federal and local environmental laws and decrees governing waste, hazardous materials and broader environmental protection. ### How are reports handled once people submit them? (gulfnews.com) The Public Services Department said all reports are handled by specialised inspection teams operating under strict monitoring procedures. Gulf News said the department described the process as designed to support rapid response and effective enforcement. The department also said the service was meant to build what it called a positive environmental culture by encouraging people to take responsibility for their surroundings. (psd.rak.ae) Al Ali said growing engagement with the service reflected higher environmental awareness and a stronger sense of responsibility for keeping Ras Al Khaimah clean. (epda.rak.ae) ### Where can residents and tourists report violations? The department said environmental violations can be reported through the smart application linked to the service or by calling the Ras Al Khaimah government call centre on 8008118. Gulf News said the appeal was directed at both residents and tourists visiting beaches, desert camps and other outdoor areas during the Eid period. (gulfnews.com) July 3, 2024, is the most recent earlier benchmark publicly surfaced by the department for the same service, when it reported 1,992 violations in the first half of that year. The current reporting channel remains the Raqeb platform and the 8008118 call centre, according to the May 24 department guidance. (psd.rak.ae) (gulfnews.com)