2,000 people to participate in 'Clean Up Sharjah' campaign this year

Sharjah - he campaign will continue on three more Saturdays, featuring recyclathons, more clean-up walkathons and tree plantings.

Clean Up Sharjah could have been just another green slogan or campaign. But what makes it different is that it started 3 years ago thanks to a school student's initiative, growing into one that sees participation by around 2,000 people, including students from 12 schools in Sharjah and the staff of many companies.
The one-month campaign began its third edition on November 19 in Sharjah's Al Qasba area, seeing two clean-up walkathons, tree planting and a beach clean-up on its first day. The campaign will continue on three more Saturdays, featuring recyclathons, more clean-up walkathons and tree plantings.
This year, Sharjah recycling agency Bee'ah has partnered with the students for the campaign. Till last year, Bee'ah only received the waste collected by the participants.
Abhinav Singla, then a grade 11 student of Our Own English High School, Sharjah (Boys), launched the campaign 3 years ago, with just 150 participating in the first edition. Singla left the UAE after completing his schooling last year.
Harshit Balagar, a grade 12 student who is leading the mission now, said: "More than a single person, it's a group responsibility for us. It's like handing over a baton. After Abhinav, I've taken the charge. And I will finish my school studies this year."
Leaders have also been picked for the campaign for its next two years. Aditya Roy, a grade 11 student, will carry the baton over to next year and Yasin Miah in charge of the movement the year after.
"For the first two years, participants were mostly students. However, we got corporate partnership this year as some company staff have also joined the campaign. We expect more to join us in the coming days," said Balagar.
"This year, four schools have officially registered for the campaign. Students from 12 schools are participating," said Roy, adding that they are expecting more than 2,000 people to participate this year. On the event's first day, there were more than 500 participants, including students, teachers and other residents.
"It's not just cleaning. We are concentrate on recycling and waste reduction too. The cleaning walkathon is a tool to make people aware of the importance of generating less waste and recycling it," Balagar noted. The idea is getting more acceptance now, with more people also joining the Clean Up Sharjah Campaign page on Facebook.
Roy said Bee'ah's participation has added fuel to the initiative's aim of reaching out to more people. "We handed over three tonnes of waste to Bee'ah on the first day itself. We will cover five areas from Al Qasba to Al Majaz. This year, some non-governmental organisations also joined us in the activities."
Balagar expressed hope that within five years, the campaign will reach an official level, with the entire community participating.
anuwarrier@khaleejtimes.com 

• Sharjah