Volunteers clean up Qatar’s dunes and beaches in community conservation drives
Hundreds of volunteers recently joined Doha Environmental Actions Project (Deap) Qatar Conservation in a series of cleanup drives across the country, targeting some of Qatar’s most iconic natural sites, including the rare singing dunes in Mesaieed and the scenic beaches of Zekreet. **media[402704]**In Mesaieed, around 50 volunteers, in collaboration with the Deloitte team in Qatar, friends, and family, removed approximately 130 kg of trash from the dunes. Participants not only cleared waste but also learned about the ecological and scientific significance of the dunes, gaining firsthand insight into the delicate desert ecosystem. **media[402703]**Deap Qatar cited the global rarity of singing dunes, noting that only a few places worldwide feature this natural wonder, highlighting the importance of keeping them clean.Deap Qatar thanked Qatar Museums, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and other supporting partners for enabling the initiative.Meanwhile, in Zekreet, volunteers from Queens International School took part in a beach cleanup, collecting litter as they explored one of Qatar’s most picturesque destinations. Zekreet is renowned for its dramatic rock formations, open beaches frequented by kite surfers, public art displays, and diverse natural landscapes, making it both a recreational hotspot and a conservation priority. **media[402702]**The focus on youth engagement continued at the singing dunes, where 97 students, along with teachers and staff from Doha English Speaking School, participated in a separate cleanup, removing 90 kg of trash as part of the school’s Green Week activities. The programme aims to instill environmental awareness and encourage sustainable practices among students. **media[402701]**Deap Qatar Conservation said the combined efforts across desert and coastal sites demonstrate growing public commitment to environmental stewardship. The organisation stressed that community-led initiatives are essential in protecting Qatar’s unique natural heritage, from rare geological formations to fragile coastal ecosystems, ensuring these landscapes are preserved for future generations.