PATROLS have been stepped up around camp sites in Sakhir following complaints of unauthorised parties and illegal gatherings, some involving minors and women.
More than 20 monitors from the Southern Governorate are conducting daily checks to also clamp down on violations of rules governing the use of tents.
In one instance, officials said they broke up a party of more than 60 people including minors.
“We identified two tents which were illegally put up in the camping zone without proper permits to host parties,” said services head Abdullatif Haji.
“There were more than 60 people inside these tents including 13 minors who had all gathered illegally.”
They were asked to remove their tents and belongings immediately.
“The parents of the minors were contacted and told to supervise them because such large illegal gatherings are not safe for the children,” said Mr Haji.
He said they broke up another party in a tent where many people were present including women.
“There are special zones for families and a general zone that is open for all, including expatriates, but such mixed gatherings are not allowed,” said Mr Haji.
The revellers were verbally warned and police monitored them until they left the camping area.
Mr Haji said his teams also found campers renting out tents to people to hold parties.
“So far, no major violations have been reported, but we are receiving daily complaints of loud music disturbing other campers.”
The camping season continues until March 5.
Anyone wanting to erect a tent must select the location, sign an agreement, pay a BD50 deposit and get a camping sticker.
This year’s camping season, taking place under the slogan Your Safety is Your Own Responsibility, is jointly overseen by the Southern Municipality, the National Guard and the Southern Governorate.
Regulations state that campers must be aged over 21 and should not pitch their tents in exclusion zones, meaning they should be at least 50 metres away from gas lines, 250m away from active oil wells and 400m away from any dehydration unit.
“Last year, more 1,300 tents were set up on the camp sites and this season the number has already crossed 2,000,” said Mr Haji.
An award for the best camp, sponsored by His Majesty’s personal representative for charity and youth affairs Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, will also be presented.
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