Tuesday, June 3, 2014

SCOUTS USES RENEWABLE ENERGY

In conjunction with Tree Planting Day and Environment Projects, Troop 1002 from SOAS Air Scout introduces the use of renewable energy as part of their "Messengers of Peace" Project. Messengers of Peace is worldwide drive for scout members contribute in projects regarding peace in their respective countries. 

It was showcased to the President of Brunei Scout Association as well as the visiting Minister of Industry and Primary Resources during the camp.

Harnessing wind energy, a wind turbine is used to charge a used car battery that in turn power a few 12 volt bulbs. This is useful because most remote or new campsites do not have electrical supply. 

Previously scout uses kerosene lamps and candles to light up a campsite and this had many close calls and still poses fire hazards in a our fragile jungle. 

With new experiments like solar energy to charge hand phones and wind energy to light up campsites, the scouts hope that this can be adapted by other troop and someday sees a campsites that are energy-efficient and friendly to the environment. 


Troop 1002 for MOP Project

SCOUTS TREE PLANTING DAY LAUNCHED

THE Brunei Darussalam Scouts Tree Planting Day campaign was officially launched yesterday and will be held every 1st of June starting this year.

Speaking during the Brunei Darussalam Scout Association’s 4th Environmental Camp programme, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar commended the initiative undertaken by the Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association in supporting the conservation of the forest resources and keeping the environment green, which is a continuous programme under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.

According to a statement by the Brunei Darussalam Scout Association, the Environmental Camp was first introduced in 2008 to inject the attitude and awareness of caring for and conserving the environment among the scout members.

The three-day camp was held from the May 30 to June 1 and at the Brunei Darussalam Tree Planting Project Site, located at KM 12, Kampung Sungai Mau, Jalan Labi-Liang, Mukim Bukit Sawat, in Belait District.

The minister said that initiatives of the scout association enhances their image as a ‘Green Partner’ to the ministry and said that the scouts association’s participation was unique because of its involvement and approach, not only focused on planting trees alone but also caring for the trees that have already been planted.

The concept for the 4th environmental camp was also consistent with one of the Forestry Department’s green initiative programmes — ‘Greening the City, Saving the Planet: Making a Difference, One Tree at a Time’, which was launched back in March. To officially launch the Brunei Darussalam Scouts Tree Planting Day the Minister had proceeded to plant a tree after making his speech.

The Brunei Darussalam Scouts Tree Planting Day is also a part of a ‘Messenger of Peace Initiative’ which is a global drive where scout members contribute in projects regarding peace in their respective countries.

Other activities held during the environmental camp included an educational visit to the Pusat Biodiversiti Hutan Tropika (Tropical Forest Biodiversity Centre), a getting to know the planted trees session and social work at the Masjid Kampung Sungai Mau with the tree planting session being the main event yesterday.

Over 140 trees were planted and around 200 scouts from around the country were present including some from the Malaysian Scout Association from Miri.

The Brunei Times