We’ve all seen a flower so irresistible we feel we just have to have it. But a new law imposed in Dubai this week serves as a timely reminder that the florist is the only place to cater for our floral needs.
Flower pickers will now have to pay a fine of up to 1,000 dirhams (£170) if caught by authorities in the United Arab Emirates city. Fines will be issued regardless of age, gender or ignorance of the law. Destroying public property is a crime and the fines will range from 500 to 1,000 dirhams (£85 to £170).
The move comes in response to several groups reportedly plucking flowers – which the Dubai authorities spent millions of dirhams (hundreds of thousands of pounds) importing – in bulk to sell for a profit.
Mohammed Al Awadi, Head of Horticulture Section of Public Parks and Horticulture Department at Dubai Municipality, said: “Everyone can see the efforts of our department and its dedicated employees to keep the city green and beautiful, which makes Dubai different from other cities in the region.”
There is even a public hotline to report flower picking in the emirates.
