Country fines tourists Rs 2 lakh for picking up stones from beaches

Authorities issued a warning to tourists to prevent beach resources from being depleted.

Visitors to the Canary Islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are warned not to bring sand, stones and rocks from the beaches. Doing so can result in hefty fines ranging from £128 (Rs. 13,478) to £2,563 (Rs. 2,69,879), New York Post.

This seemingly harmless tradition of collecting souvenirs is having a harmful impact on the island’s ecosystem. Authorities report that Lanzarote’s beaches are losing about a ton of volcanic material every year, while Fuerteventura’s famous “Popcorn Beach” loses an alarming amount of sand every month, the news portal reported.

Removing these materials disrupts the natural balance of the coastline and puts it at risk. Visitors caught carrying popcorn-shaped pebbles face fines of between £128 and £512, while those carrying more could be hit with the maximum penalty.

The crackdown comes amid fears the Canary Islands have reached a breaking point due to mass tourism. Tenerife recently declared a water emergency due to a severe drought, with some officials blaming tourist spending for straining resources. Research has found that a hotel uses four times more water per guest than local residents.

The permanent population is less than 1 million, compared with more than 5 million tourists last year, and experts fear there will be a “systemic collapse” if resource pressures continue. In response to the drought, Tenerife has banned the use of drinking water in gardens and swimming pools.

The authorities face challenges because much of the material seized at Lanzarote and Fuerteventura airports does not lead to punishment for the offenders. This is because it is difficult to prove whether rocks, stones or sand have been removed from protected areas.

The Canary Islands consist of seven main islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and Hierro. Each island has its own unique features and attractions. Tenerife is the largest island and home to Spain’s highest peak, Mount Teide.