Camels are lovable but not when they are near roads. Awareness campaigns have been held by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in South Al Batinah on keeping animals from straying away from the farms.
A series of awareness campaigns is currently being held on various topics and experts from the ministry are constantly conducting field trips in addition to distributing brochures and leaflets and having conversations with livestock breeders and owners. The message is to protect their animals by maintaining them in their pen.
According to the ministry representatives in South Al Batinah, for example, letting animals to graze can lead to change in landscape as well, but most importantly cause traffic accidents or be hindrance to pedestrians.
In 2019, 520 accidents were caused by stray camels alone. Vehicle collisions with camels have proven to be fatal in many cases.
In 2020, the ministry had issued regulations on stray animals - RO 100 for each camel or horse, RO 50 for each cow and RO 30 for each goat, sheep or other animals.
This is if they are found stray, grazing in cities and residential areas or less than one km from sub-roads.
If the animals are seized they will be looked after in enclosures but the owner will have to bear the cost upon the animal’s release.
Yet another awareness campaign that is being held is on dumping agricultural waste into wadis.
The ministry stated on social media, “Dumping waste into wadis lead to flooding or changing their course.”
According to the authorities, the ideal way to dispose of unrooted dead trees or other farm waste is to contact be’ah company. They stated that the improper disposal of farm waste on the roadside or burning them can cause environmental pollution.
@lakshmioman
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