Beach littering in Kuwait

Beach littering in Kuwait

Being an ignoramus is no excuse. One way of judging the 'level' of a civilized nation is by observing how its citizens respect public places like gardens, beaches, roads, parking lots, waiting areas in hospitals and schools and all places allotted for public use. It is unfortunate that litter in Kuwait is scattered everywhere and sometimes seen flying during sand storms … and the situation is getting worse. An article on the issue by Mrs Lydia Al-Qattan (Arab Times, July 16) came as no surprise to anyone in Kuwait. We find the situation truly appalling when we return after long vacations in countries where the cleanliness of public places is respected by citizens and visitors … and if not strict action is taken, including monetary fines. 'Reckless littering' should be treated on par with 'reckless driving', and if one starts to think about it, the crime is much worse: it is the image of the entire country that is at stake.

No one likes his country to be seen as a place where people disrespect others by leaving behind their trash in all its ugly and repulsive forms - on the streets and in parks - that stare at residents and tourists while they are strolling on the seaside or in parks … let alone the billowing flames of grilled meat that choke beachgoers every weekend. Kuwait's beautifully landscaped seafront, on which the government has spent millions of dinars, looks ravaged on Saturdays as if it's the scene of small battles. Scores of road-sweepers and garbage collectors are seen continuously sweeping the same places time and time again, indicating that litter has been thrown there or perhaps flown in from nearby corners around the clock. Negligence reaches sky-high when suddenly litter of an ...