BINTULU: Some 40 students and 15 teachers from seven secondary schools and one vocational college took part in a three-day “Friends of Nature” programme at Similajau National Park recently.
The students and teachers, who were from Bintulu Vocational School, SMK Asyakirin, SMK Bandar, SMK Baru, SMK Kemena, SMK Kidurong, SMK Sebauh and SMK Tatau, participated in various activities such as bird watching, a nature walk and beach cleaning.
The programme, a key component of the Beacon Project, was jointly organised by Petronas subsidiary Malaysia LNG Group of companies (MLNG) and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) to create awareness on environmental conservation among the younger generation.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, MLNG manager Victoria Charles Juta said, “We believe the youths can be agents of change in creating public awareness on environmental conservation.
“This programme is an ideal platform for us to educate them on biodiversity conservation.”
Meanwhile, Sarawak Forestry Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said, “Since we embarked on ‘Friends of Nature’ programme, there has been a marked increase in the level of conservation awareness in Bintulu and this will be a very fruitful and meaning journey which will leave a very impactful legacy for our next generations.”
His speech was read by Sarawak Forestry general manager Oswald Braken Tisen.
The Beacon Project is a signature corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme carried out by MLNG in collaboration with Sarawak Forestry Corporation.
It has two components — the first one is the Beacon Reef Ball programme where 1,500 artificial reef balls have been deployed into the sea as sanctuaries for marine life.
The second is the Conservation, Education and Public Awareness (Cepa) programme to educate the younger generation on Sarawak’s rich biodiversity and raise public awareness on environmental conservation.
