Municipality forms team to boost Creek clean-up

Intensifying its efforts towards preserving the marine environment in the emirate, Dubai Municipality has formed Noukhada, a voluntary team, which will facilitate clean-up operations at Dubai Creek, and also be available for rescue operations and monitoring of deep waters. The task team comprises five groups with experienced members. The formation of the team was announced recently during the "Clean-up the Creek" programme by Dubai Municipality, where its divers collected 173 tonnes of waste. "We want to educate the public on the importance of natural resources and also raise awareness on keeping the creek clean," said Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality. "Apart from being iconic in our history and tradition, the Dubai creek has its environmental value of being home to diverse species of marine creatures and organisms. We are committed to preserving it." Waste from creek bed During the cleanup programme, divers who volunteered collected 173 tonnes of waste from the bottom of the creek. The waste included fishing nets, remnants of old yachts, plastic and tyres. "It is alarming the way we treat the creek," said Khalid Suletin, head of the Environment Emergency Office of the Environment Department, Dubai Municipality. Giving details of various groups under the Noukhada team, Suletin said the members of the Dolphin group, which is geared towards emergencies related to water pollution, are experienced people who will also assist other bodies in rescue operations. The Al Qeen group has been entrusted with cleaning activities, whereas a diving team of women has also been formed under a group named Al Dana. The volunteer team also has a special group that will monitor deep creek waters, take photographs and keep track of changes that are happening. This group has been named Yaryur, while the fifth group, called Nawres will coordinate and assist other groups. Several organisations across the emirate have been taking up efforts to clean up the creek and generate awareness regarding the water body. "During our clean-up initiatives across various areas, we noticed that the creek is one of the places from where a large amount of waste is collected due to the sheer numbers of people visiting it," said Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group. "People like to enjoy the beauty of the creek, the cooling and relaxing effect it offers. We want this beautiful picture to continue for which every individual should make an effort. "A change in attitude is essential and so is instilling a sense of responsibility. Additionally, we need to exert more area-specific efforts. Involving abra users, abra operators, and operators of dhows and small vessels, too, are required," added Habiba. "Forming a special task force is a very good effort as it helps spread the message among a wider group of people."