Much inspired by global viral sensation ‘Challenge for Change’ on social networks, the Son Tra District People’s Committee in Da Nang has decided to maintain the ‘Garbage collection on the Son Tra Peninsula’ movement on a monthly basis. The objective is to prevent this precious natural gift and a ‘green lung’ for the tourist-packed city from being damaged gradually by litter thrown by mindless people.

Youth Union members are pictured collecting litter at the Xanh Lake

In recent times, there were so many different types of trash, like dishes and bowls, beer bottles, plastic bags, and single-use containers, left by unaware tourists during their trips to the peninsula.

This is an issue of deep concern as plastic items take many years to decompose, harming the natural environment.

Tourists, in fact, are unaware of the rule that says: do not leave anything in the jungle, except footprints, and do not take anything from the jungle, except photos.

Notable amongst the pollution hotpots on the peninsula is the Xanh (Blue) Lake, a highly inviting place for both locals and tourists, as its water has turned turbid, affecting the habitat of aquatic species here. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that this is the main source of clean water supplies for the peninsula.

In an effort to address this environmental issue, Chairwoman of the district People's Committee Tran Thi Thanh Tam has asked district-level relevant agencies to coordinate with the Youth Union organisition to clean up the environment on the peninsula.

More recently, a total of 97 Youth Union members got actively engaged in collecting litter left by unaware visitors at the Xanh Lake.

It is worth praising that the volunteers donot mind the hard, dirty toil at all, despite the scorching heat during the summer.

More than 100 large and small-sized bags weighing nearly 1 tonne of trash in total were collected.

Mr Doan Van Duc, the Head of the district’s Natural Resources and Environment Office, said, every 7 - 10, local environmental satiation agencies and the Management Board of the Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang Tourism Beaches jointly organise garbage collection activities. 

It is hoped that such highly meaningful trash-cleaning activities will attract even more many participants, hereby contributing to keeping the environment of this popular attraction clean and beautiful, and spreading positivity would help convince others to do the same.

Also, it is suggested that all tourist sites located on the peninsula should have public trash bins installed.

There is no denying that permanent change will only happen when people stop littering instead of waiting for others to clean up.