KT For Good: Let litterbugs clean up parks, say residents

The second part of our series is a shout-out to the campers and picnic-goers who can't clean up after themselves.

Clearing the dinner table, washing dishes and throwing away trash after a nice family meal may come as second nature to people while at home. Unfortunately, the same manners are not being applied when they're out in nature, having a picnic or barbeque.
Our green surroundings and beautiful deserts are being taken for granted, as residents continue to spoil them with litter. It's no surprise that picnics and barbeques have been banned in several different parks and lakes in the UAE, after authorities witnessed the horror left behind visitors.
Barbeques were banned in one of the most popular locations in the country last year - Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet - due to the heavy amounts of trash residents were leaving behind. Now, violators can be fined Dh1,000 if they're caught barbequing in undesignated areas.
In Dubai, residents were warned not to litter at Al Qudra Lakes, as picnic-goers and campers were trashing the picturesque spot with their leftovers. Earlier this year, picnics in Sharjah's Al Majaz Waterfront were also banned.

Now, residents - who insist that they do respect nature and our home planet - are suggesting tougher penalties for litterbugs, including making them do community work, where they are ordered by law to clean up picnic and barbeque areas. In Dubai, there's a Dh200-Dh500 fine in place for littering in public parks.
"I think that would be a great initiative because, as bad as it sounds, I personally know people who wouldn't mind paying fines for littering," a
UAE resident, Hijab Amer, said.
"If a person is caught, they should actually be asked to clean up and volunteer for at least one such event to learn and experience the consequences of a small habit that could affect our environment.
It breaks my heart to see farm animals suffer and also the environment being effected. If the bins are full, you can just take the trash up to your car. If you see something lying around, pick it up. I think we should have such community events for cleaning up ."
Amer recalled her trips to the desert, where she saw camels eating plastic bags and empty chips bags - left behind by campers. She was surprised, as there were plenty of garbage bins around.
"The municipality has put up warning boards, but some people still don't follow the rules. This is why they go around and fine people for throwing garbage," she added.
Another resident, Aysha Nooreain Shaikh, said she frequently goes for picnics in Ras Al Khaimah and can't help but get shocked whenever she sees the mess that other visitors have left behind.
She said compulsory clean-ups by litterbugs will "teach them a strong lesson" and will prevent any future incidents. She also recommended that picnic-goers bring their own trash bags, just in case garbage bins at the site are full.
"People as such prefer keeping only their homes clean. They forget that this world, itself, is our home. If you want to be healthy, you need to keep the surroundings clean, too," Shaikh said.
"Even after being warned with messages and fines, people continue to litter and pollute the environment. Taking a strict action, like community service, is needed to make people follow rules."
In Dubai, a picnic-goer, Gizala Khazi, said littering in parks is very common during weekends.
Khazi visits Al Barsha Pond Park, Zabeel and Creek Park most frequently. "Most of the time, they are clean. But during weekends or during holidays, we do see litter around and in the washrooms," she said.
"It does frustrate us at times. All I can say is, please be a responsible citizen, keep the area clean after using it, and be organised by bringing extra garbage bags for your waste. You are setting an example for your kids and people around you. Also, help the authorities maintain the cleanliness."
You might think it's only necessary to keep the house - which you pay for - clean.
However, it's important to remember that our first home will always be this planet - not the four cement walls we've built around us. Without Earth, none of it will exist. So, pick up that trash.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com

• KT For Good