Fujairah clean-up campaign attracts 2,000 volunteers

The campaign was called "Our Mountains, Our Beaches, Our Responsibility". It aims to raise awareness on recycling and waste management.

Students from Anas bin Al Nazar school in Dibba clear Al Faqiet beach of rubbish as part of a week-long campaign. Satish Kumar / The National

FUJAIRAH // More than 2,000 people in the emirate recently took part in a week-long clean-up campaign.

To mark the UAE’s National Environment Day, Fujairah Municipality launched the third edition of Our Mountains, Our Beaches, Our Responsibility campaign.

It aims to raise public awareness about recycling techniques and waste management.

Five areas were earmarked for clean-up – Al Faseel Beach, Al Hayl Industrial Area, Al Farfar, Al Hinya and Al Faqiet Beach in Dibba.

Saeed Ahmad, one of the 23 students who helped to clear Al Faqiet Beach of rubbish on Thursday, said residents should be mindful of the environment by not littering.

“This is not my first time, I have participated in so many cleaning campaigns. Each time we visit a place, I ask myself, ‘why don’t people clean up after they finish eating or drinking?’They should think about the environment and about their own health before acting like that,” said the 12-year-old, from Anas bin Al Nazar school in Dibba.

Khalid Salim, a fellow schoolmate, agreed that it was everyone’s responsibility to keep the country clean.

“We should protect our environment to prevent the spread of diseases and pollution. I care about my country and I love to see it clean all the time. Everybody should be like me,” said the 13-year-old.

To be sure, the municipality is devoting its efforts in education, campaigns and community involvement to protect the environment and reduce waste, according to Fatima Al Kindi, head of environmental awareness at the municipality.

“Our beaches and mountains should remain beautiful and clean,” she said, adding that the municipality had been working hard to raise public awareness and cooperation.

In Dibba, the area’s municipality arranges a cleaning campaign every week that covers tourism and residential areas, according to Fatima Al Hantoubi, head of the municipality’s environment department.

“Each week we encourage community members of different age groups and nationalities to be more careful when it comes to waste disposal,” she said.