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