Maracas/St Joseph’s Rotary to clean Morang Water Dam

In 1986, the American Centre for Marine Conservation held the first beach clean-up on the Texas coast with the aid of 2 800 volunteers. Since then, ICC has included inland lakes, rivers, streams and underwater sites in the clean-up and approximately half a million people in more than 100 countries have participated in the clean-up.

The Rotary Club of Maracas/St Joseph (RCMSJ) traditionally takes a different approach, and focuses its attention on the Maracas Picnic Area and the Waterfall Trail in Maracas, St Joseph.

However, this year is different. According to Environmental Chair Rotarian Anil Sieukumar, “While volunteers will be returning to the same beach or river they cleaned up in previous years for International Coastal Clean Up (ICC), the Rotary Club of Maracas/St Joseph (RCMSJ) is faced with a different scenario. RCMSJ traditionally marshalled 50 to 60 volunteers annually for its ICC event for the clean-up of Maracas Picnic Area and the Waterfall Trail. This year, there is no rubbish,” he said.

“Imagine in previous years we collected close to 200 kgs of garbage comprising bottles, plastics, broken bottles and today we can boast of the Maracas Waterfall and Trail has a garbage free area, thanks to the work of well placed signs, thanks to the work of Maracas Valley Action Committee, thanks to the work of Tour Guides and importantly thanks to the work of the National Reforestation and Watershed Rehabilitation Programme (NRWRP). The NRWRP each day are taking care of the Maracas Picnic Area and the Waterfall Trail. Most importantly, (thanks) to persons who visit the site, taking away their garbage,” Sieukumar said.

Given the success of the conservation efforts in the Maracas Waterfall area, RCMSJ this year will focus on the Morang Water Dam for ICC. Morang Water Dam is identified as an inland water way feeding local rivers. The area, like many others continues to be plagued by littering by members of the general public. RCMSJ aims to rid the area of rubbish but more importantly to document our findings in an effort to educate the nation as to the impact we as humans have on nature through littering. RCMSJ is hoping in the near future to report the Morang River as a site with no rubbish.

Sieukumar noted, “Littering is a serious problem. The problem of marine debris does not necessarily start in the ocean, but is dumped further inland and washed down into the oceans. Each year, there is a vast increase in the number of marine animals injured or entangled in debris found in the oceans. Turtles mistake floating plastic bags as food and thousands of seals, whales, dolphins, sharks and birds die from entanglement in fishing line and other debris. Apart from the carnage to animals, there is the issue of flooding which is a nightmare for citizens. We, as citizens, have the power to make a positive difference — stop littering.”

Rotary is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Persons interested in volunteering at Morang Dam can contact Sieukumar at 778-3955 or e-mail anil.sieukumar@ericsson.com.