The Minister of Tourism Malaysia planting a sapling.
ATF delegates releasing a turtle.
The Minister of MIPR walking with ATF delegates at the beach
Between now and World Forestry Day on March 23, 1,500 'ATF' trees will be planted with the aim of offsetting the carbon footprint the ATF delegates will generate during their stay here. Yesterday saw the first 68 'Ru' or 'Ru Laut' trees being planted where school children from various government institutions were also invited to help kick-start this endeavour.
According to a Forestry Department Official, other outreach programmes are also being executed to ensure that school children are exposed to nature so as to instil a sense of value for the forest and to help in the conservation of the nation's greenery for the future.
She said, "We need to nurture them whilst they are young," considering that these schoolchildren will be our leaders of tomorrow.
Asean Secretary General, Dr Surin Pitsuwan said that taking part in the tree-planting programme was rewarding. "I am happy to be contributing to the Heart of Green," he said.
The planting of trees is seen as a step to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere as trees capture these CO2 gasses and convert them into oxygen thus stalling the effects of global warming.
After playing their part in helping with eco-conservation, the Minister of MIPR along with 16 other ministers gathered along the shores of the beach at the Berakas Forest Reserve and released four turtles comprising two of the three turtle species that frequent Brunei's beaches provided by the Fisheries Department.
"Turtle releasing is the best idea because there is so much excitement in releasing the turtles," said Sheikh Jamaluddin, CEO of Brunei Tourism. He also stated how this initiative signifies the Heart of Green. "Let's give something back," he said. "Hopefully the signal sent will make the people protect more of the species."
Considering that Brunei Darussalam is in the Heart of Borneo and that ATF 2010 is being held in the nation, the Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources are spearheading the Heart Of Green initiative and activities such as the tree-planting and turtle releasing event, which according to the Director of Fisheries, Hajah Hasnah Ibrahim, "is to show the world that Brunei is green and that we care for the environment", including marine life which reflects the ATF 2010 theme.
As a reminder for the delegates, certificates printed on recycled paper - another move to promote eco-conservation - were prepared upon their arrival.
(Borneo Bulletin : 26 January 2010)