WATCH: Beware, you could be fined up to QR20,000 if caught littering in public places!
The true mark of a country’s progress can be measured by how neat and tidy it is. Understanding this perfectly, Qatar has been quite serious in its quest to make the nation a clean one.
To take things further, the country’s Advisory (Shura) Council approved a new draft law on public hygiene that will impose a fine of up to QR20,000 on people found littering in public places, reported Qatar Tribune.
As per the law’s provisions, property and company owners found dumping waste in areas not allocated by the municipality will face a penalty of QR20,000. Also leaving animals or birds in places not licensed for breeding will invite a fine of up to QR20,000.
Similarly, individuals found leaving waste in non-designated areas will face a fine up to QR10,000. Earlier, the punishment was six months jail term and a fine of up to QR10,000.
The QR20,000 fine is actually a reduction from the original proposed punishment — jail sentence and QR50,000 fine. The Advisory Council said that jail sentence and the original fine were both bigger than the violations and hence decided to lessen it, reported The Peninsula.
The draft law prohibits dumping of waste in public places such as squares, roads, streets, lanes, alleys, pavements, courtyards, gardens, parks and beaches as well as land spaces, rooftops, walls, balconies, skylights, corridors and yards, facades of houses and buildings and their car parks and other places, whether public or private.
It was also recommended to notify authorities concerned to build necessary public facilities like toilets and provide dustbins, and parking lots for vehicles and machines.
hahaha, as if this law will be strictly enforced... Quick tip, just watch & observe when you are in a traffic or in a red traffic light, i bet you could spot someone littering.
**PAVEMENTS, (FOOTPATHS/ WALKING AREAS)
Qatar needs to pressure clean all the payments
shafqat-hayat, of course you do, it is what's expected from you, it is understood by all that you may not know better, or not care, or what ever. when i see this type of action it makes me feel sad that the individual does not realize what they are doing, it is how they were taught, hopefully soon they would become "enlightened".
i always keep a shopping bag for car garbage, in morning i throw it from window, practiced enough that it goes directly to wastebin. ;)
should include full day manual cleaning/ picking garbage around doha...many drivers just simply throwing cigarette buts, tissues, etc.
Richard: If we all do our bit, then the "others" may get shamed into following suit
The majority of offenders are not whom this fine is directed.
i always keep one empty cigarette box in my car as in new vehicles there is no concept of ashtrays... and i scare from throwing cigarettes out from my car window...
Unfortunately there are always going to be lazy people who don't think laws apply to them. I often see car windows come down and rubbish get thrown out from both parked and moving vehicles. It's a shame, but not all people were raised with good manners and etiquette.
Muhammad yasir - Similar to spitting. Laws are in place, but are not enforced
*throw....
what about cigarettes and ashes? i saw almost everyone they through cigarettes out from moving vehicle.
Good move .. just go to the Corniche in the evening and see people leaving rubbish, even though there are bins nearby
The fine is fine but we need to educate people who wake up very late & run to their work & on the way / in the parking they spread the rubbish ............. ..........