Volunteers boost clean-up
By Arvind Nair
Senior Staff Reporter
Volunteers pick up a carcass during the clean-upcampaign on one of the beaches in Qatar
A number of expatriate organisations have volunteered for the current clean-up campaign as part of the ninth Qatar National Green and Clean campaign.
The annual drive is run by Green Qatar Centre, which functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Urban Development.
No expatriate organisation was slotted during the last two week-ends because of the dusty conditions and bad weather, expatriates coordinator Abdullah Kutty said.
But, the campaign resumes with renewed vigour again from next week, with Sri Lankan Majlis, Telugu Kala Samiti, Indian Women’s Association and the staff of Movenpick Hotel planning to go on cleaning trips.
The Majlis team, which could total more than 150 people, is expected to be accompanied by Sri Lankan Ambassador Vijayasiri Padukkage. They are likely to clean the beach near the InterContinental Hotel.
Both the Majlis and the Kala Samiti, which is likely to send 100 volunteers, will be participating in the campaign on Friday, while the hotel staff will go on Saturday. The IWA women are slated to take part next Sunday, Kutty said.
Similarly, members of Samanvayam and Art of Living are due to clean a beach on March 20 while Kannur United Welfare Association of Qatar volunteers have been slotted for the following day.
Recent participants have included Bangiya Parishad.
Others who have lined up for the campaign in the coming weeks include Friends of Thrissur, Thrissur Souhruda Vedi, Qatar Living, Nepali Engineers Association and staff of the City Center.
Kutty said expatriate schools were yet to be involved. For one, most of the beaches have been blocked for construction or have been declared environmentally sensitive. This was making it difficult to allot a suitable beach for cleaning.
Green Qatar Centre director Abdullah al-Kuwari had appealed to citizens and expatriates to actively take part in the campaign and make it a success.
The campaign is aimed at making the country free of rubbish, and providing the entire country with a green cover.
Source: Gulf-times.com
