Earth Day 2006 Celebrations Take Off
By Kartika Rahman

Bandar Seri Begawan - Earth Day 2006 Celebrations were officially launched yesterday, in a ceremony hosted by Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, Ministry of Development, Brunei Darussalam. The ceremony took place at The Centrepoint's Goldstone Ballroom.

Celebrated on 22nd April every year, Earth Day is aimed towards spreading information on current environmental issues in pursuit of raising public awareness on the value and importance of conserving and protecting the natural environment. This year's theme is "Reuse, Reduce, Recycle", also known as "Project 3R".

Attending as guest of honour was the Minister of Development, Pehin Dato Paduka Awg Hj Abdullah. Also in attendance was Dato Paduka Dr. Hj Mat Suny bin Hj Mohd Hussein, Deputy Minister of Development, representatives of five environment & ecology clubs from different schools, and officers and staff of the Ministry.

After the initial blessing of the ceremony with a recital of the SurahAl-Fatihah, the Director of Environment, Parks and Recreation, Awg Hj Mohd Zakaria bin Hj Sarudin presented his welcoming remarks.

The Director commended the students of the schools and colleges for their initiative in forming their respective Eco Clubs. With the official recognition by the Department, these clubs will be working together on Project 3R. To further the success in their efforts a special workshop will be provided on `Minimisation of Solid Waste in Schools and Community' for students and teaching-force of the schools and colleges.

The highlight of the ceremony was the officiating of five environment and ecology clubs. Sixth Form Centre, Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College, Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Masna Secondary School, Menglait Secondary School, and Jerudong International School received plaques of recognition from the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation.

The schools also put up an exhibition at The Centrepoint's Goldstone Ballroom, where the Minister, Deputy Minister and attendees were invited to tour the exhibits.

The aims of the Department in officially giving recognition to these school and college Eco Clubs are to give realisation and adopt cooperative habits in preserving and managing surrounding environments especially amongst students and teachers, and the general public.

With the existence of Eco Clubs in schools and colleges, a myriad of activities can be undertaken by students that go towards the preservation and management of the environment. Activities include placing recycling-bins on school premises, tree planting, compost making and other forms of effort.

In addition, the programme provides the opportunity for the private sector to cooperate in administrating and managing disposed recyclable goods, such as reusable goods, plastic and paper. These efforts are hoped to lead towards the reduction of waste, thereby making a positive economical impact.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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