Latakia Launches ‘Our Beaches are a Trust’ Environmental Campaign
A new environmental campaign aimed at protecting the coastal landscape has been launched in the city of Latakia. Titled ‘Our Beaches are a Trust,’ the initiative seeks to address the accumulation of waste along the shoreline and foster a stronger sense of environmental responsibility among both residents and visitors.
The campaign is organized by the Maritime Training and Rehabilitation Institute in coordination with the General Authority for Ports and Customs. It brings together a diverse group of participants, including students from the institute and personnel from the Coast Guard, who are working alongside various local stakeholders. The efforts are part of a broader strategy to maintain the cleanliness of the Syrian coast, which serves as a vital destination for summer tourism.
During the launch of the project, authorities highlighted that the campaign was initiated following a 20-day assessment period designed to monitor the state of the local beaches. These observations revealed significant quantities of waste, prompting the need for immediate and sustained intervention. The Director of the Maritime Training and Rehabilitation Institute, Mahmoud Al-Qaddour, emphasized that this is not intended to be a one-time event. Instead, the initiative will involve a series of follow-up campaigns in the coming period to ensure the long-term cleanliness of the coast and to promote a culture of marine environmental preservation.
Operations are currently concentrated on three primary coastal locations: the Southern Raml beach, the Blue Beach, and the fishing and pleasure port. Field teams are utilizing machinery provided by the participating entities to remove accumulated debris and improve the overall condition of these sites.
Officials stressed the importance of community involvement in the effort, particularly given the seasonal surge in visitors. The Director of Operations at the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management in Latakia, Mohammed Sabah, noted that the increased foot traffic during the summer season often leads to the accumulation of waste. He urged citizens to take personal and collective responsibility for their surroundings by ensuring that refuse is disposed of in designated areas rather than on the shore.
The initiative serves as a platform for collaboration between various public bodies and the local community. By focusing on both immediate clean-up efforts and the promotion of environmental awareness, the campaign aims to mitigate the impact of human activity on the marine ecosystem. As the summer season continues, the organizers hope that these efforts will encourage better habits among beachgoers and help preserve the natural beauty and ecological health of the Syrian coastline for the future.
