Conservationists in Malindi have raised concerns over increasing dumping of waste in the resort town, saying that the trend is a threat to the environment and marine life in the Ocean.
The conservationists under the umbrella of Progress Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM) who normally conduct monthly clean ups every second Saturday of the month, said there are many illegal dumpsites where locals throw wastes against the law.
During this month’s clean up which began from Casino Beach to Lawfords beach hotel they came across one of the illegal dumpsites right at the beach.
Effue Opiyo, the Chairperson Malindi Green and Blue said they found illegal dumpsites and suspect they were created by people who have constructed illegal structures within the riparian area.
Speaking during the monthly clean up, she called on the department of environment to look into the matter to end the illegal dumping.
“All these, when the water comes, it goes back to the ocean and it’s not just the plastics but also the human wastes which is not healthy to the beach and our aquatic life,” she said.
According to her, community members need to be sensitized and trained on the importance of segregation and the dangers of burning trash to the environment.
Further, she appealed to the authorities to ensure they deal with burning of wastes at the Malindi Dumpsite as it was a major health hazard.
At the same time, Kenya Wildlife Services Malindi Marine National Park and Reserve Warden Ntindi Kassim said a marine protected area is supposed to be free from trash as mostly some marine lives are affected when they consume plastics.
“Our main aim of doing beach clean up is to ensure our marine environment is clean because this is an area where our visitors come. We would like them to enjoy when they come and also protect our marine life,” she said.
Kassim said there are marine species that are endangered such as the Sea turtles that often mistake plastic for jellyfish.
She called on other stakeholders to join in the clean up exercise so as to ensure the area is free from trash as there were migratory fish that move within and outside the protected area.
“The Next Clean up will be on April 12, so we ask the stakeholders to come on board so that we can do this noble idea of protecting the voiceless and ensure visitors come to a place which is clean,” she said.
Among other stakeholders present included Kenya Police, Business People, Malindi Casino, school children, Hoteliers, among others.
Apart from clean ups, stakeholders also conduct sensitization to ensure people do not litter plastic and any other trash that is a threat to the environment.
