‘Value clean environment at all costs’

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Richard (second left) presents a mock cheque to Peter, witnessed by Nansian (centre) and others. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

Richard (second left) presents a mock cheque to Peter, witnessed by Nansian (centre) and others. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

A section of the ‘green ambassadors’ pledge to contribute towards protecting and preserving the environment.

A section of the ‘green ambassadors’ pledge to contribute towards protecting and preserving the environment.

KUCHING: Mankind must value the clean and healthy green environment that God has given them by protecting and preserving what they have at all costs.

Assistant Minister for Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian said unfortunately many people were uncaring about the environment but focused instead on only earning a living and making more money.

To some extent, he said, mankind disregarded the importance of protecting and preserving the environment, such as what happened in the past few months when many parts of the region suffered from haze due to uncontrolled open burning in a neighbouring country. He said it was very important for everybody to value the environment, especially the younger generation, as they were the ones who would inherit this world.

In this context, he said, the efforts by Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and Petronas to jointly organise Eco-Camp 2015 for 90 students from schools in Padawan and Bau districts were most timely as children should be taught to take care of the environment from young.

“The responsibility to protect and preserve the environment belongs to everyone but it is more important for the younger generation because they are the ones who will inherit the world,” he said.

Nansian, who is Tasik Biru assemblyman, said this at the closing of NREB-Petronas Eco-Camp 2015 at a leading hotel here yesterday. He added it was vital for people to learn about environmental issues from a young age.

“The students who participated in such activities must not just learn but most importantly be able to apply the knowledge in their daily lives.” The Eco-Camp 2015 participants comprised Form 4 students from SMK Padawan, SMK Matang, SMK Siburan, SMK Tun Abdul Razak, SMK Batu Kawa, SMK Penrissen, SMS Kuching Utara, SMK Lake and SMK Paku who are members of Kelab Pencinta Alam Sekitar (PALS) or Love Environment Club.

NREB controller Peter Sawal said only 323 or just around one fifth of the 1,500 secondary and primary schools throughout the state had formed PALS club.

“It has always been our intention to set up PALS in other schools but unfortunately we have not been able to do so due to financial constraint. We are thus appealing to the private sector and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) to come forward and contribute towards this cause,” he said.

Petronas Carigali Operasi Sarawak Health, Security and Environment Department senior manager Richard Mapus was also present at the function.