ZANZIBAR, Aug. 22 -- ZANZIBAR Residents have been urged to stop illegal sand mining and the dumping of waste in unauthorised areas in a bid to safeguard public health and protect the islands biodiversity.

Unguja West “B” District Commissioner (DC), Amour Yussuf Mmanga warned yesterday during a community clean-up exercise at an informal dumpsite in Kisauni Vigaeni that unregulated waste disposal near residential areas poses serious health hazards, damages infrastructure and reduces overall quality of life.

“This land was designated for a sustainable water supply project, but unfortunately, some residents have turned it into a dumping site,” he said.

The exercise also involved public education efforts and the form...