Nine sunken wooden boats and commercial vessels loaded with 820 tonnes of marine waste have been recovered from Dubai Creek so far this year, as part of a major clean-up drive to reduce water pollution.
Teams from Dubai Municipality said they plan to remove a further 11 abandoned boats from key waterways by the end of the next year under the eco initiative.
The campaign by the authority's waste operations department is being conducted across the emirate, with other areas targeted including Dubai Water Canal, Business Bay Canal and Jaddaf.
Dubai Municipality said 95 per cent of waste collected from deep under water would be recycled.
“Our strategy aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability of Dubai's marine environment,” said Saeed Abdul Rahim Safar, director of waste operations at Dubai Municipality.
"The teams will remove all canal waste that obstructs the navigational movement of boats and vessels and disrupts trade and tourism traffic.”
Dubai has towed away dozens of ships and boats in recent years as part of its commitment to enhancing the emirate's waters.
The environmental impact of debris scattered by sunken boats is an issue of global concern.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates there are three million sunken vessels abandoned in the world's oceans, with many buried deep for several decades.
The consequences of oil leaks and toxic waste drifting into waters can be devastating for marine life and hazardous for humans consuming fish exposed to dangerous chemicals.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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