Clean-up drive seeks to generate environmental awareness

Over 10,000 people were mobilised by the Municipality to spruce up Dubai during the World Clean-Up campaign which began yesterday. The event, which runs until Friday, was opened at the Deira creekside by Municipality Director-General Qassim Sultan.

"The Municipality is committed to making the environment of Dubai completely clean," he said. "It is part of our role to ensure that it is always kept safe and protected."

Hassan Makki, head of the Municipality's Waste Services Section, said, "The drive is being held to involve the public and private sectors in keeping Dubai clean; only then will they learn to appreciate their environment more.

"This year the theme of the campaign is littering, so we have distributed 300 bins to schools and over 10,000 leaflets detailing local cleanliness regulations.

"Around 100 companies are supplying equipment and manpower to clean up beaches, streets, parks, industrial areas and labour camps. Several government and private schools are also participating. The students are cleaning up their campuses, surrounding areas and the Heritage Village.

"This time we are also working with other government departments such as the Civil Defence, who are helping us clean up Hatta, and Dubai Ports and Customs Authority."

The international event originated in Australia, but is now observed by almost all environment protection agencies, institutions and government bodies.

"We joined the campaign over six years ago and have come a long way in our waste management since then," Makki said.

"We will compile all the information over the four-day period, especially about the amount of waste collected, and a detailed report will be sent to the headquarters in Australia.

"Education and awareness are of utmost importance. We want to reduce the number of people being fined for violations of cleanliness and environment protection regulations.

"We will have other themes in the coming years. We will focus on waste disposal and waste segregation so that people are well educated and the campaigns prove to be a gainful experience for them."