Save the camels, say no to plastic
Thank you Gulf News for drawing attention to this horrific state of affairs ("The price of plastic in 'death valley'", Gulf News, January 24). Although ingesting plastic waste is the ultimate cause of the gruesome deaths of desert wildlife, sheep and camels, the blame lies squarely at the door of humans. This is not a new phenomenon, but the exponential increase in the population, accompanied by a distinct lack of education and awareness campaigns, have only added to the problem. There is a lot of empty rhetoric bandied about concerning green issues, which is totally meaningless unless put into practice. An immediate ban on plastic bags would be a start, but without widespread environmental awareness programmes, which should begin in schools, the real wealth of the region - its natural beauty - will be lost forever, its wildlife totally wiped out or to be seen only behind bars.
From Ms S. Edwards
Dubai
Destroying desert ecosystem
It was heartbreaking to see in Gulf News, the photo of the decomposed body of a camel that died after eating plastic bags dumped in our adventure spots. The merrymakers that love to spend time in the desert should stop dumping plastic bags and other waste because they have a deadly effect on desert ecosystems. Special applause to Gulf News for shedding light on a matter that needs serious thought.
From Mr Najeem Al Deen
Dubai
Create awareness
I'm a Chinese expatriate in the UAE. After reading the news about hundreds of camels dying every year after eating plastic, I felt deep sorrow. I love camels and have seen them in their natural habitat. They are friendly and harmless. I think we need to do something about this issue. All those who picnic and camp in the desert, should ensure to clean up before they leave. Perhaps volunteer cleaning teams could be established, too. These people could also help sick camels, if they encounter them. Additionally, parents and teachers need to teach children how important it is to protect our environment. Also plastic bags should be banned in general, instead all stores should only use thick paper bags. If all of us do something small, it will be a big help to our planet. We too will benefit from a healthy environment.
From Ms Sun Yuan
Dubai
Start a campaign
An overall environmental campaign is long overdue. People dump plastic and trash everywhere because they are unaware of the catastrophic consequences of their behaviour. Also, this could be taught to pupils in schools, so they grow up knowing how trash affects our environment, animals and wildlife. As an avid animal lover I feel very sad every time I read news like this, of camels dying from eating discarded plastic bags.
From Ms Maria
Dubai
Website comment
Bleak future
Protecting animals is a truth that we should understand. Not only for animals, but the whole system of nature gets affected with the uncontrolled use of plastic worldwide. If it goes on like this, the future generation will get plastic dumps instead of water when they dig.
From Mr J.P.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Use paper bags
This is sad. We should stop using plastic bags and should start using paper bags. In Pakistan, the government has taken strict measures against stores that use plastic bags.
From Mr Abid
Dubai
Website comment
Don't kill our planet
As I read Gulf News' report on plastic waste dumped in the desert, my thought went through the ways we destroy our planet and wildlife. Plastic should be banned from the world. Let us not kill our planet.
From Mr Sanjeev Dan Mathews
Dubai
Punish offenders
The photographs and accompanying article about hundreds of hapless camels and gazelles dying from eating plastic materials carelessly thrown by campers and day visitors in the desert made for very sad reading. As rightly pointed out, apart from creating environmental pollution, if this practice is continued, we cannot expect to see camels and gazelles in the desert for much longer. I suggest a three-pronged step to save the hapless animals, which includes banning plastic bags, educating the public on the harmful effects of dumping plastic waste in the desert and severely punishing offenders.
From Mr V.K. Rajan
Sharjah
No dumping
We should be very careful about our waste - not to just dump it and make the environment unstable. I think we should reuse our plastic bags rather than taking new bags from the hypermarkets.
From Ms Sana
Dubai
Website comment
Recycle plastic
We are too late to measure the impact of toxic pollution caused by plastic on humans and animals. Developing countries such as India established plastic reprocessing plants, which make useful products from plastic and other waste materials. These steps should be taken urgently. We should also be more responsible in how we dispose waste.
From Mr Ahmad
Sharjah
Website comment
A scourge
Please ban plastic bags. It is the scourge of the 20th century. All malls and super markets should stop using plastic bags.
From Mr Rangarajan
Hyderabad, India
Full name withheld by request
Paper, please
The death of camels from eating plastic bags is very sad. Why don't we stop using plastics? The authorities should ban plastic bags and introduce paper bags.
From Ms Annie
Dubai
