Kuwait Times

Published Date: October 15, 2009

KUWAIT: Kuwait is one of the most polluted countries in the Gulf region, with its marine life, atmosphere and soil degrading to alarming levels, said Dr Hamad Al-Mutar, Head of Kuwait's Green Peace Organization and a Chemistry professor at the Kuwait University. He added that the Cabinet's failure to address this issue and devise an effective mechanism to resolve it.

Among other reasons, he cited the aftermath of burning more than 700 oil wells during the 1991 Iraqi invasion. A thick, black cloud was formed that contained several hydrocarbon substances which harmed all aspects of the environment for at least five months.

Dr. Al-Mutar was speaking during a seminar organized by the Socialists Association titled, 'Our Environment Is In Danger.' He added that the United Nations has recommended that these hydrocarbon substances be treated biologically instead of thermally. This is because in this method, substances are burnt at 1,500 degree Centigrade.

However, he said that the Kuwaiti government has neglected this issue, clarifying that the UN had contacted four countries (Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia) and provide them with compensations for eco-reform at a value of $5 billion. While all the three other countries replied to the UN within two weeks of receiving the notice, Dr. Al-Mutar said that Kuwait sent its reply after a year and a half.

Furthermore, Dr. Al-Mutar said that this inactivity on the Kuwaiti government's behalf has forced the UN to issue warnings to Kuwait. He also noted that Kuwait's soil has been almost completely polluted (ninety million square meters contaminated), adding that this has a detrimental effect on Kuwait's agriculture, making produce unfit for consumption.

Dr. Al-Mutar pointed out that Umm Al-Haiman area is considered the most-polluted area in the country, noting that the Environment Public Authority (EPA) had previously informed the Cabinet about the area's unsuitability for inhabitation due to it close proximity to oil refineries in Al-Shuaiba.

Dr. Al-Mutar also stated that the pollution has aggravated due to the Mishref sewage plant spill, saying that it had exposed matter to the public. The incident has placed the government in a position in which it is obliged to meet with the challenges.

Furthermore, Dr. Al-Mutairi indicated that the 'Umm Al-Qawatti' area, located in the northern part of the country, has been used by the Kuwaiti Army as a 'dumpster' for unloading waste. It is also contaminated with Uranium, which has been responsible for the rising cancer rates in the country, reported Al-Qabas.

Dr. Al-Mutairi concluded by saying that although the situation in the country has not reached the red zone yet, it has crossed the 50 percentage mark. He called on activists and the Kuwaiti public to continue placing pressure on the government to save Kuwait's environment.