KUWAIT: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) has announced the launch of the 26th season of its “Sea Turtle Rescue” campaign, set to begin on November 8 with a beach cleanup at Kuwait Towers. The initiative is organized in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy and the Japanese Society, with participation from government agencies, civil society groups and students from schools taking part in the 15th Green Schools Program this academic year.
KEPS Secretary General and Director of Programs and Activities Jenan Behzad said in a press statement Sunday the campaign aims to raise environmental awareness about the protection of endangered species and the preservation of natural habitats along Kuwait’s coast. She said the initiative reflects civil society’s role in supporting environmental sustainability and safeguarding biodiversity, while underscoring the historical and ecological importance of sea turtles in the Arabian Gulf.
Behzad noted the campaign encourages community engagement by inviting volunteers, citizens and residents to take part in field activities such as beach cleanups, monitoring turtle nests and promoting awareness of the coastal ecosystem. She added the effort represents a model of international cooperation between KEPS, the Japanese Embassy and the Japanese Society in the fields of environment, education and volunteering, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable development and marine conservation.
She recalled that last year’s 25th season further strengthened efforts to instill a culture of volunteering and environmental participation among citizens and residents. On turtle species found in Kuwait, Behzad said they include green turtles, loggerhead turtles, hawksbill turtles and leatherback turtles. Despite ongoing environmental challenges, she said recent studies show green turtles are beginning to resume nesting activity, while hawksbill turtles continue to face hatching difficulties. Behzad stressed that the return of turtles to Kuwaiti territorial waters is a positive sign of marine recovery in the northern Gulf, thanks to sustained local and international environmental protection efforts. — KUNA
