Dubai: More than 100 locations worst affected by littering on a daily basis have been identified and around 20,000 volunteers, the largest group so far in civic clean-up history, will set out on their mission against easily avoidable pollution on Sunday.
The campaign will not be limited to beaches despite the fact that they are especially at risk of waste accumulation due to the influx of visitors on weekends, said Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson of the Emirates Environment Group (EEG) which is organising the initiative.
"Beaches are ideal for clean-up activities but we should not forget that there are other forgotten areas of the same importance that need urgent attention," she told Gulf News.
Participants in Clean up UAE 2010 will spread out across 106 locations in all seven emirates from the corniches in Abu Dhabi and Umm Al Quwain to the freezone in Ras Al Khaimah and areas surrounding the Chinese market in Ajman.
Increasing levels of waste are "tied naturally with the population growth" said Habiba, explaining why EEG had felt compelled to rally members of the public to take part in the clean-up campaign for a ninth consecutive year.
"The rapid urban, economic, and population growth and development in UAE, definitely increases the amount of waste. The problem lies with the undesirable behaviour of a section of the community, which is nonchalant and careless about wasting. This puts the responsibility on all of us, to work hard to tackle this problem," she said.
"The clean-up campaigns…are effective tools to instil awareness in the hearts of the participants. When the participants see for themselves the volume of waste generated and collected, they will realise that this is the results of their actions, and give them the impetus to review themselves and their behaviours."
Locations: Action fronts
- Dubai: Nad Al Sheba, along Al Khail Road on Meydan roundabout.
- Sharjah: Sharjah Football Stadium vicinity and surrounding areas.
- Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Corniche, near family beach area.
- Umm Al Quwain: On the corniche.
- Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone and Ras Al Khaimah beach area.
- Ajman: Near Chinese Market, Al Juruf area.
- Fujairah: On Fujairah beach.
- Al Ain: Al Masaoodi area, near Heritage Village (five sites)Visit www.eeg-uae.org for more information
