Thursday April 28, 2011
By JADE CHAN
jade@thestar.com.my
Photos by CHAN TAK KONG
METTE Foldager Donstrup had fun during a clean-up campaign at the Sungai Tua Recreational Park as she collected a host of garbage left by picnickers and campers, including “unusual” items like pencils, batteries and utensils.
“There is so much trash here, and some was even buried underground!” exclaimed the 11-year-old who was with her family — father Bjarne, mother Henriette, and siblings Morten and Marie.
During Earth Week at her school, Mette said she also learnt about the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and how to reduce the amount of trash generated and water used.
Schoolteacher Henriette said they teach the children about the environment and green habits, which is widely practised in Denmark — their home country.
Bjarne, who is Maersk Malaysia’s managing director, said the activity served as a nature appreciation trip and offered a good opportunity to spend time with family and colleagues.
The Foldager Donstrup family were among the 600 participants at the fifth Save Our Waterfalls Campaign organised to commemorate Earth Day.
The campaign is a regular initiative by the Waterfall Survivors Facebook group aimed at preserving the natural heritage for future generations and instilling civic consciousness among Malaysians.
The event was supported by Tourism Ministry as part of the “1Malaysia Green Tourism, 1Malaysia Clean” campaign, Selangor Forestry Department and several other government agencies.
The campaign, which marks the biggest thus far, featured participants from high schools, colleges, corporations, members of Waterfall Survivors and the public.
About two tonnes of garbage was collected at the end of the campaign.
Preserving nature: The students were not afraid of wading into the river to help retrieve trash wedged in the rocks. Tourism Ministry Selangor state director Arshad Mustapa said the “1Malaysia Green Tourism, 1Malaysia Clean” campaign was launched last year to foster an appreciation for beauty and cleanliness among Malaysians, particularly at tourist attractions.
“The public are invited to participate in the campaign by ranking tourist attractions, eateries and public amenities like bus stops and toilets they have visited on the campaign website,” he said.
“Operators who are placed in the Hall of Fame list will be given a certificate of acknowledgement, while clean-up programmes will be organised for those ranked in the Hall for Improvement.”
At the state level, Arshad said there are plans for more clean-up activities similar to the Save Our Waterfalls campaign throughout the year.
“We invite students who are part of their school’s Tourism Club to educate them about the impact on our environment and tourism if cleanliness is not practised,” he said.
Clean-up crew: Students from several secondary schools and colleges joined the clean-up campaign to beautify the Sungai Tua Recreational Park. Waterfall Survivors founder Joe Yap said the campaign aims to educate the public and change people’s mindset to not simply discard rubbish, do their bit for Mother Earth and protect the environment.
“Education and a cultivation of the green habit from young are very important. Even children can teach their parents to go green,” she said.
“We hope the participants’ environmental practices go beyond the campaign. We not only want to keep our homes clean, but also streets, parks and public places.”
Yap attributed the larger number of participants, which is double their usual number, to greater interest in the campaign and greater awareness about the environment.
“However, there is much more that can be done, hence Waterfall Survivors hopes to reach out to more schools and companies with our awareness programmes,” she said.
For updates on the campaign, visit waterfallsurvivors.blogspot.com
During Earth Week at her school, Mette said she also learnt about the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and how to reduce the amount of trash generated and water used.
A must-hug figure: Volunteers having fun with Mr Bin during the Save Our Waterfalls Campaign.
Bjarne, who is Maersk Malaysia’s managing director, said the activity served as a nature appreciation trip and offered a good opportunity to spend time with family and colleagues.
The Foldager Donstrup family were among the 600 participants at the fifth Save Our Waterfalls Campaign organised to commemorate Earth Day.
The campaign is a regular initiative by the Waterfall Survivors Facebook group aimed at preserving the natural heritage for future generations and instilling civic consciousness among Malaysians.
The event was supported by Tourism Ministry as part of the “1Malaysia Green Tourism, 1Malaysia Clean” campaign, Selangor Forestry Department and several other government agencies.
The campaign, which marks the biggest thus far, featured participants from high schools, colleges, corporations, members of Waterfall Survivors and the public.
About two tonnes of garbage was collected at the end of the campaign.
Preserving nature: The students were not afraid of wading into the river to help retrieve trash wedged in the rocks.“The public are invited to participate in the campaign by ranking tourist attractions, eateries and public amenities like bus stops and toilets they have visited on the campaign website,” he said.
“Operators who are placed in the Hall of Fame list will be given a certificate of acknowledgement, while clean-up programmes will be organised for those ranked in the Hall for Improvement.”
At the state level, Arshad said there are plans for more clean-up activities similar to the Save Our Waterfalls campaign throughout the year.
“We invite students who are part of their school’s Tourism Club to educate them about the impact on our environment and tourism if cleanliness is not practised,” he said.
Clean-up crew: Students from several secondary schools and colleges joined the clean-up campaign to beautify the Sungai Tua Recreational Park.“Education and a cultivation of the green habit from young are very important. Even children can teach their parents to go green,” she said.
“We hope the participants’ environmental practices go beyond the campaign. We not only want to keep our homes clean, but also streets, parks and public places.”
Yap attributed the larger number of participants, which is double their usual number, to greater interest in the campaign and greater awareness about the environment.
“However, there is much more that can be done, hence Waterfall Survivors hopes to reach out to more schools and companies with our awareness programmes,” she said.
For updates on the campaign, visit waterfallsurvivors.blogspot.com
Waterfalls are beautiful but extremely DANGEROUS. Only attempt with experience guides. Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Nothing but Footprints
