Youngsters help clean up Fujairah beach

700 students and youngsters who gathered at Umbrellas Beach on Monday to take part in the clean up organised by the Public Services and Environment Department at Fujairah Municipality.

Pupils from Al Badiya School joined the beach cleaning campaign in Fujairah. Antonie Robertson / The National

FUJAIRAH // “We came to collect rubbish to save the environment” said Saud Ahmad as she helped her friends fill plastic bags with litter found on Umbrella Beach.

The four-year-old Emirati was one of 700 students and youngsters who gathered at the beauty spot on Monday to take part in the clean-up organised by the public services and environment department at Fujairah Municipality.

The two-week campaign will cover six locations in Fujairah, Merbeh, Masafi, Al Taween Al Hayl and Thoban. Organisers expect to collect around 20 tonnes of rubbish.

Marwa Al Ameer, a KG1 teacher at Fujairah Islamic Scientific Academy, one of the 35 schools taking in the initiative, said students are familiar with the environmental issues and sustainability.

“They all know how to protect the environment and the importance of keeping it clean as we demonstrate it through short stories, games and cartoons,” said Ms Al Ameer.

“Students were very excited and helped in collecting plastic bags and empty cans that were left at the beach.”

The youngsters collected empty bottles, barbecue tools, plastics, wooden sticks, dead fish and fishing nets.

“I don’t know why people still leave garbage behind, there are many waste containers but still they throw on the ground and in the water,” said Karem Mohammed, an 11-year-old Egyptian.

“I suggest they fine each person who doesn’t care about the environment and throws rubbish,” he added

His friend Jamal Ahmad said they had found a lot of old fishing nets and metal foil,

“These things won’t dissolve and definitely will harm the fish, people should be aware of the consequences of such acts and how this will affect us and the next generations,” said the 11-year-old.

About 25 students from Al Bahar elementary school also took part in the clean-up.

“Leaving garbage and litter behind after enjoying the beach can harm the marine life and cause fish to leave which will affect our lives and health,” said Fatima Murad, a 10-year-old Emirati.

Science teacher Muna Mohammed said the events tie in with the school’s curriculum.

“We reached to the pollution lesson so it’s good to demonstrate what they are learning and engage them in campaigns that help them understand the concept better and be helpful,” said Ms Mohammed.

Ahmad Salamah, environmental awareness coordinator at the municipality, said that campaign is part of UAE National Environment Day activities organised to raise public awareness about recycling and waste management.

“As part of the Year of Giving we launched this campaign. The numbers of participants increased compared to the last year and we expect to collect around 20 tonnes with the help of the community.”

The clean-up campaign continues until February 27.​