On September 27, a significant environmental cleanup event took place on the southern outskirts of Dushanbe, aimed at restoring the shores of Mekhkaryer Lake. Organized by the Business Club under the Association of Soviet Koreans of Tajikistan and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the action saw volunteers collecting heaps of trash from the lake, including bottles, bags, and used diapers.
This is the second environmental campaign held at the lake, following a similar event in June, which saw 124 participants and resulted in the cleanup of 2.5 kilometers of shoreline and the collection of around 800 bags of waste. This time, approximately 70 participants, including members from various organizations such as the Business Club of under the Association of Soviet Koreans of Tajikistan, Good Neighbors, M&M transport company, Atomy, and Aura Estate, as well as local residents, took part in the effort.
The initiative was spearheaded by eco-activist Zulfia Golubeva, with inspiration from Vitaliy Khinenzon, the first Tajik to summit Everest. The volunteers, many of whom had participated in the previous cleanup, were provided with transportation, food, water, and support in the form of waste removal services.
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Workers were also insured by the Emergencies Committee under the Government of Tajikistan due to the hazards posed by both land and water-based tasks. Volunteers in life jackets used boats to clean the water near the shoreline, under the supervision of Emergencies Committee officers.
Toxic waste and hazardous conditions
The cleaning process was challenging, especially under the harsh sun, with air pollution from a nearby cement plant making the work even harder. The most perilous tasks took place on the lake itself, where the steep banks and unpredictable water depths posed significant risks, including the danger of landslides or whirlpools pulling someone under. Swimming in Mekhkaryer Lake is prohibited due to its treacherous conditions.
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Volunteers collected around 700 bags of garbage. Among the waste were not only common household items, but also food wrappers, plastic bottles (some still containing liquid), snack packaging, foam, rubber footwear, and even used diapers.
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The accumulation of such materials not only pollutes the water but also creates an unpleasant odor at the lake's edge.
In response to the ongoing pollution problem, local authorities installed a sign near the lake, warning against littering and indicating fines for violators. Under the Tajik Administrative Code, those caught dumping trash in unauthorized areas can face fines ranging from 750 to 5,250 somonis.
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Tackling the problem from the root
Participants of the event emphasized the importance of starting environmental education at home. Raising awareness about waste management, they argued, should begin with parents teaching children the importance of environmental protection. One volunteer, a real estate agent from Aura Estate, stated: "Although we've cleaned here before, the current state shows that local people don’t take care of cleanliness at all. There is so much trash. To solve the pollution problem, we must start with ourselves, teaching our children not to litter, in schools and kindergartens. Without early intervention, children will just mimic the habits of their parents."
A representative from Good Neighbors, an NGO working across Tajikistan, echoed similar thoughts, stressing the importance of educational seminars and campaigns. She noted that pollution is not just a problem in Dushanbe but is widespread across the country. "The situation is especially dire in the capital, and the environmental impact extends beyond just waste – the gases and odors from trash heaps also pose a threat to people’s health," she remarked.
A shared responsibility
Another participant, Shahrom, expressed gratitude for the initiative and praised the organizers and volunteers who dedicated their day to the cleanup: “I care deeply about my homeland, and the jewel of our homeland is nature. If we don’t protect it now, future generations will be left with nothing but mountains of garbage. We must control consumption and manage waste, or we will end up living in a sea of trash.”
The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Tajikistan, Jeong Song Sik, also expressed his appreciation for the efforts, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between Tajikistan and Korea. He noted that the Koreans in Tajikistan had initiated this environmental movement and emphasized that the Embassy of Korea would continue supporting similar initiatives in the future.
"Today's event is not just a one-time cleanup, but a proactive effort with preventive measures like the installation of warning signs and the introduction of video surveillance. We are committed to helping strengthen environmental activities in Tajikistan," said the Korean Ambassador.
In conclusion, gratitude was extended to the Emergencies Committee, Dushanbe’s Firdavsi district and the Committee for Environmental Protection for their support in organizing the event.
