ECO SCHOOLS: (From left) George, Jayl, Dionysius, Zainal and Boing in a photo call after planting several trees at SK Ba Kelalan in conjunction with the school’s Eco-Schools programme.
BA KELALAN: Pupils from SK Ba Kelalan have successfully revived highland rivers and increased environmental awareness among the older generation through World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia Eco-Schools Programme.
Four rivers in Ba Kelalan saw significant improvements in terms of cleanliness and ecosystem after the programme was carried out mainly by Primary 4, 5 and 6 pupils through continuous monitoring and awareness efforts.
WWF Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma said it was WWF’s hope that the programme would push the school closer towards the international Green Flag award by next year.
The Green Flag award is an internationally recognised and respected eco-label for schools.
He urged SK Ba Kelalan pupils to continue to pass down knowledge on environmental awareness to both young and old in order to maintain and improve their rivers.
“Community support is very important and critical in efforts to sustain water and jungle resources such as the ones in Ba Kelalan. The WWF Malaysia Eco-Schools Programme with SK Ba Kelalan demonstrate that efforts in environmental awareness can create positive influence in the community,” Dionysius said.
ECO WARRIORS: (From left) Dionysius, Zainal and Sang together with SK Ba Kelalan pupils checking out water samples for specimen which can indicate the level of cleanliness in the river.
He said this in his speech during WWF Malaysia’s visit to SK Ba Kelalan Eco-Schools programme in conjunction with WWF Malaysia’s 40th anniversary on Oct 20.
He added that it was one of WWF’s wishes that Ba Kelalan will continue to develop in accordance with their sustainable development principle as the nation moves towards vision 2020.
“As our nation moves towards a developed nation status by 2020, we hope that Ba Kelalan will continue to succeed with its sustainable development principles by maintaining its rich natural resources while balancing its social, cultural and economic potential,” he said.
According to SK Ba Kelalan Eco-Schools programme advisor Sang Sigar, the programme was conducted since last year and the school had chosen rivers as their focus under the programme.
“Our river is an integral part of our lives and we have seen tremendous improvement in our Kelalan, Muda, Komap and Langai rivers after the programme was carried out.
“There has also been a great improvement in attitudes towards river cleanliness not only in the young but also the adults due to the strong community ties in Ba Kelalan,” said Sang, who is also a teacher at the school.
SK Ba Kelalan is the first primary school in Sarawak to participate in the WWF Eco-Schools programme.
Also present for the two-day visit were WWF Malaysia president Datuk Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin, WWF Malaysia trustee Jayl Langub, Lawas councillor Boing Balang and Penghulu George Sigar Sultan.