Clampdown on Dubai’s desert litter louts

DUBAI // A clean-up drive to clamp down on littering in the desert has been launched.

The campaign by Dubai Municipality includes 24-hour patrols at winter camping areas.

“We have seen a huge number of visitors coming to desert areas from the very beginning of this year’s season, hailing from different sections and nationalities,” said Abdul Majeed Saifaie, director of the waste management department at the municipality.

“While some of them keep the rubbish they produce inside their car safely to be disposed in the designated areas later, a considerable number of people are found to be throwing rubbish randomly and irresponsibly.”

The campaign aims to inform visitors about how to dispose of rubbish safely.

Workers will patrol desert areas to check for debris and litter.

Waste containers have been placed near camps and along the roads, with an extra 25 staff drafted in for weekend shifts to handle the larger numbers.

So far, the team has visited 130 winter camps and issued 35 notifications to those that failed to meet guidelines. Several vehicle owners have been booked for throwing rubbish away.

Awareness leaflets and bags to collect rubbish have also been handed out to about 600 motorists and more than 20 tonnes of rubbish have been collected.

The drive is part of the municipality’s efforts to improve cleanliness in the emirate, protect the environment and spread awareness among people who frequently visit the desert.