Barbecue picnics were banned in the popular tourist area of the United Arab Emirates.
The authorities of Al Ain, the UAE, have banned barbecue at one of the highest mountain points in the country - at Jebel Hafit. The decision was made at the height of the picnic season.
At Jebel Hafit, whose height reaches 1240 meters, residents from other emirates usually come in the cooler months.
"The ban on barbecue was introduced due to the irresponsible behavior of visitors who damaged the appearance of the area and public facilities," the municipality said in a statement.
Some of the visitors burned wooden benches, while others left garbage on top of the mountain.
Al Ain Municipality explained that it took into account the popularity of barbecue at this time of year, but encouraged residents to choose other places for picnics in the desert, away from homes and residential areas.
Barbecue enthusiasts still have access to Al Sulaimi Park on Mohammad Bin Khalfan Street.
Violators of the ban for the first time will receive a warning from the inspectors, and in the event of a repeated violation they can be fined. The municipality did not specify the amount of the fine. In Dubai, a fine of a thousand dirhams ($ 272) is facing a similar violation.
