DM launches beach clean up campaign

The Waste Management Department of Dubai Municipality on Wednesday launched an awareness campaign on cleaning beaches under the slogan "We Care Our Shores", which will continue until 29 April.

Eng. Salah Amiri, Assistant Director General for Environmental and Public Health Services Sector, who inaugurated the campaign, said that it is aimed at achieving the Third Strategic Direction (Clean and Sustainable Environment in Dubai) as well as to achieve the  Fifth Strategic Goal (Cleanliness of all areas in Dubai).

The campaign includes awareness programs, activities, community education, interaction with general public, regular beach users, visitors and violators, in addition to cleaning up all beach areas and breakwaters. 

Eng. AbdulMajeed Saifaie, Director of Waste Management Department said that the campaign was aimed at cleaning up all beaches. "The cleaning labourers will remove all wastes on beaches; provide waste bins and containers adequately in appropriate places. Most of the people are ignorant of the laws on the prevention of throwing waste in public places,” he added.

Saifaie also urged citizens and residents to cooperate with the Municipality to dispose of waste, and maintain the beauty of the city and its beaches.

Suhail Al Awadi, Head Hygiene Unit of Bur Dubai in the Waste Management Department pointed out that coastal areas are one of the main features of Dubai tourism and beaches are quite popular in specific seasons and weekends. 

"Therefore, we are set to clean up these areas to ensure hygiene, and to improve the city of Dubai to the highest environmental and health levels," he said.

The campaign also aims to alert the beach visitors about the fine as per Local Order No. 11 of 2003 pertaining to the hygiene of the Emirate of Dubai and double punishment in case of repeating the offense. The officials urged visitors of beaches to dispose wastes in a healthy way and use waste containers, and to quickly contact the concerned authority in case of any erratic behavior on 800 900.

Several other activities are also being held along with the campaign, including a photo exhibition on diving, workshops by Children's City and Selma Al Ansariya School, Heritage and Diving Village, a play under the title “We care our shores” by Salma Al Ansariya School students, demonstration on removal of oil residues from beach waters by the Marine Pollution Control Center of Dubai Police and divers’ demonstration by Emirates Diving Association.