This Country Fines Tourists Rs 2 Lakh For Picking Rocks From Its Beaches

Authorities in the Canary Islands issue strict fines to deter tourists from collecting sand, stones, and rocks from beaches.

Tourists visiting Lanzarote and Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands are being warned against taking sand, stones, and rocks from beaches. Doing so can result in hefty fines ranging from 128 pounds (Rs 13478) to 2,563 pounds (Rs 2,69879), The New York Post.

This seemingly harmless tradition of collecting souvenirs is having a detrimental impact on the islands' ecosystems. Authorities report that Lanzarote loses roughly a tonnes of volcanic material from its beaches each year, while Fuerteventura's famous "Popcorn Beach" loses a staggering tonnene of sand every month, reported the news portal.

Removing this material disrupts the natural balance of the shorelines and puts them at risk. Tourists caught taking the popcorn-shaped pebbles face fines between 128 and 512 pounds, while those taking larger amounts could be hit with the maximum penalty.