Environmental campaigners collected less waste than last year and are happy with the results, because it shows that a ‘clean up the kingdom’ community initiative appears to be yielding results.
The non-governmental organisation (NGO) Cleanup Bahrain picked up a total of 3,300kg waste last year with its hands-on beach clean-ups, a drop from 7,600kg in the preceding year.
Members staged around 15 drives in 2023 and 2024, together annually attracting more than 500 volunteers. Since the formation of the group in 2016, more than 50,000kg of rubbish has been gathered, including plastic that has been sent for recycling.
“We have cleaned up almost each and every accessible or public beach in Bahrain with the support of our wonderful members and volunteers,” group co-founder and chairman Ali AlQaseer, 32, told the GDN.
“Many of the cleaned up beaches remained clean and we also revisited those usually affected by high tide that often brings waste from the sea and ends up on the shores. Therefore, the reduction can be interpreted to the clear presence of environmental awareness in the community, which remains one of our main goals,” Ms AlQaseer added.
The voluntary group, which officially became an NGO six years ago, has given popular public beaches such as Zallaq Beach, Karbabad Beach and ASRY Beach a new lease of life with their many activities, which will continue this year.
Members are working in co-operation with the government and private sector on other special initiatives too.
“One of the exciting projects is the revival of a water spring called ‘Ain Alhakeem’, located in Shahrakan village, revealed Ms AlQaseer.
“We were successful in completing phase one by identifying a water channel underneath the spring, which was sent to a specialised laboratory for testing and results came in as positive fresh water, which can be utilised in the future for agricultural purposes.
“Phase two is currently under process, which will be related to the renovation of the spring followed by extraction of water. There are a few more projects which we will announce once the studies are confirmed and approved,” the Bahraini eco warrior and business development manager revealed.
Cleanup Bahrain is planning an event at the end of the month at Raas Hayyan Beach near Askar. The NGO has 27 official members and is currently accepting new volunteers who are passionate about making a difference.
Commenting on the environmental impact of a possible rise in public beaches, following public plans and talks to make waterfront spaces more accessible, Mr AlQaseer said: “Having more accessible beaches does not mean more waste, as long as there are measures taken into consideration.
“The public is in need of accessible beaches, therefore setting proper guidelines to visitors with proper monitoring and enforcement of law on littering and illegal dumping would eliminate the potential issues of waste dumping.”
In October, the GDN reported on plans for the first public swimming beach in the Capital Governorate, a move that aims to reconnect Bahrainis with their coastal heritage, providing a space for swimming, leisure and other outdoor activities.
It could also facilitate community interaction and serve as a family destination.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))