Muscat – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has stopped illegal drilling of 23 wells and confiscated equipment during inspections spread over three days in North Batinah governorate.

The Control Department of the Directorate General of Agriculture and Water Resources in North Batinah found rampant drilling of unlicenced wells in the wilayat of Liwa. While carrying out inspections to check and limit drilling of random and unlicensed wells, detected 23 illegal wells under construction.

‘Legal actions against violators have been initiated,’ MAFWR said in a statement.

Digging wells without availing licence attracts a fine of RO2,000 and one year imprisonment, the ministry reminded.

Rampant digging causes depletion in ground water reserves, besides violating regulations and laws governing public property, it added.

A total of 5,774 water licences were issued in the first six month of 2022, according to statistics issued by MAFWR.