Around 50 lakes, ponds, and rivers are planned to be cleared of litter during the "Clean Water Body" campaign in the Vitebsk region, as reported to a BELTA correspondent by Sergey Rednenko, Chairman of the regional organizational structure of the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen.
Around 50 lakes, ponds, and rivers are planned to be cleared of litter during the "Clean Water Body" campaign in the Vitebsk region, as reported to a BELTA correspondent by Sergey Rednenko, Chairman of the regional organizational structure of the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen.
This nationwide campaign has been held in Belarus since 2014 on the initiative of the RGOO "BSOR" (Republican Public Association "Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen"), and this year it is scheduled for April 19-28. "Although there are leased water bodies, for which the owners are responsible for maintaining order, there are still many lakes, ponds, and small rivers for which the users themselves – fishermen, holidaymakers, local residents – are responsible. Unfortunately, not all of them are accustomed to cleaning up after themselves. Therefore, we are conducting an educational campaign – installing reminder stands on maintaining cleanliness and safe behaviour at water bodies. We are also organising clean-up events. This year, we will clear 46 water bodies of litter, with a total shoreline length of 156 km. It might be more if more volunteers respond," noted Sergey Rednenko.
164 employees of the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen from all 19 regional branches will be involved in the work. Representatives of other organisations and simply concerned citizens will join. The regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) has already reported its readiness to assist. Moreover, in the Vitebsk district, they will involve their diving service: specialists will explore the bottom along the banks and remove sharp objects and other debris. Foresters will also traditionally join.
The campaign is aimed at the ecological education of the population, drawing attention to the problem of water body pollution, and also at tidying up the coastal zone of lakes and watercourses before the opening of the season for mass outdoor recreation.