Outdoor enthusiasts heading to Al Ain’s Jebel Hafeet this winter will need to rethink picnic plans: local authorities have prohibited barbecuing in designated car-park areas, citing litter, fire hazards and damage to fragile mountain ecosystems. First-time offenders face a Dh1,000 fine, rising to Dh4,000 for a third breach, according to a regulation notice published on 4 January.
The timing is significant—Jebel Hafeet sees a spike in domestic tourism during January’s mild weather, with many Dubai-based expatriates driving two hours to grill with panoramic desert views. The new rule aims to curb charcoal waste and reduce emergency call-outs after a series of vehicle fires linked to disposable grills left under cars.
![Al Ain’s Jebel Hafeet imposes barbecue ban in key parking zones, fines up to Dh4,000 for violators]()
For corporate mobility teams organising team-building outings, the decision means obtaining permits for designated barbecue pits or booking private desert camps instead. Destination-management companies advise including portable gas stoves, which remain legal in non-parking picnic zones, and budgeting for increased waste-management fees.
The crackdown aligns with the UAE’s broader sustainability agenda, including the nationwide single-use-plastic ban that took effect on 1 January. Travellers should expect stricter enforcement of environmental rules at popular outdoor sites across the Emirates.
The timing is significant—Jebel Hafeet sees a spike in domestic tourism during January’s mild weather, with many Dubai-based expatriates driving two hours to grill with panoramic desert views. The new rule aims to curb charcoal waste and reduce emergency call-outs after a series of vehicle fires linked to disposable grills left under cars.
For corporate mobility teams organising team-building outings, the decision means obtaining permits for designated barbecue pits or booking private desert camps instead. Destination-management companies advise including portable gas stoves, which remain legal in non-parking picnic zones, and budgeting for increased waste-management fees.
The crackdown aligns with the UAE’s broader sustainability agenda, including the nationwide single-use-plastic ban that took effect on 1 January. Travellers should expect stricter enforcement of environmental rules at popular outdoor sites across the Emirates.
