NATURE AND US: A collage of photos shows students and teachers get closer with nature during Kem Mesra Alam at Niah National Park recently.
MIRI: A total of 60 students from selected secondary schools here participated in Kem Mesra Alam (KMA), a programme that bring students closer to nature, held at Niah National Park over the weekend.
The nine secondary schools selected were SMK Sains Miri, Kolej Tun Datuk Tuanku Haji Bujang, SMK Luak, SMK St Joseph, SMK St Columba, SMK Chung Hua Miri, SMK Riam, SMK Baru Miri and SMK Dato Permaisuri and twelve teacher acted as facilitators.
KMA was a partnership programme between Sarawak Shell Bhd and various government agencies as well as non-governmental organisations namely Sarawak Forestry Department, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), Education Department, Department of Environment (DOE), Miri City Council (MCC), Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and Northern Sarawak Journalist Association (NSJA).
According to Sarawak Forestry Department’s forest officer Abdullah Ahmad, the camp was a success as students were very keen to learn about the environment and its components.
“They are very interested in environment-related subjects, especially those related to environmental protection and recycling,” commended Abdullah.
Among the activities organised during the camp were group work where students were divided into six groups and each group was given a task based on standard modules.
The modules’ contents covered identifying various species of flora and fauna, understanding environment components, observing characteristics of plants, creating awareness on animals care and classifying biodegradable wastes as well as recyclable materials.
Apart from that, quizzes were also conducted to test the students’ knowledge on environmental subjects.
The students also toured Niah Cave where they spent one hour exploring one of the wonders of the world.
Sarawak Shell Bhd HSE Environment advisor Elizabeth James, said the nature camp was initiated ten years ago and had been held at various locations throughout the state, mostly at national parks.
She added that another KMA will be held at Limbang, later in July this year.