Volunteers from IntercityHotel Dubai Jaddaf Waterfront cleared rubbish from a popular desert camping spot on the outskirts of Dubai during the weekend.
Large garbage bags filled with a total of about 1.2 tonnes of litter were collected as the “hoteliers with passion” combed the desert in the Tawi Nazwa area for debris.
They were joined by volunteers from Emirates Offroaders and Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay in the desert clean-up drive. They picked up plastic packaging, empty water bottles, shards of glass, charcoal and other waste carelessly discarded by many of the hundreds of visitors to the desert camping spot.
Apart from making the desert look unsightly, litter strewn in the area also poses a huge risk for animals, experts said.
Environmentalists have repeatedly warned about the dangers of leaving behind garbage in the desert, particularly for animals. Every year, thousands of wildlife, including camels and gazelles, die after eating plastic debris.
Plastic waste can end up in their stomachs, leaving them unable to digest food and ultimately causing their death. Aylin Nöske, general manager of IntercityHotel Dubai Jaddaf Waterfront said: “The clean-up event is part of our ongoing commitment towards sustainable tourism and environment protection. As part of the community in Dubai, we want to do our part in conserving the planet and making sure that our environment remains sustainable for future generations.”
