BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, June 7, 2010
A COMPREHENSIVE information campaign is being implemented in all sectors of society to ensure that all members of the public take part in environmental initiatives. Information to be disseminated will include environmental issues, challenges, benefits, and concrete initiatives that require wide participation from the society, said Linda Ibrahim, Senior Forestry Officer at the Forestry Department, at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.
In an e- mail to The Brunei Times, Linda said, “Environment is a general knowledge nowadays. All government institutions, academic, private and public groups are advocating environmental concerns and initiatives.
The public are invited to approach these institutions. The Forestry Department supports environmental concerns through public participation in forest conservation and sustainable forest management.”
Brunei joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Environment Day 2010 on Saturday, June 5.
“Brunei, being part of the many species, living in one planet together with other nations, is looking forward to a common admiration which is sustainable development — socially stable, economic development, and environmental protection,” said Linda.
There are a lot of existing environmental collaborations within and between ministries, departments, government and private, she said, adding that private individuals could help conserve biodiversity by starting simple initiatives in each home.
Public participation in environmental conservation provides very relevant impacts.
She pointed out that it provided a holistic impact considering that environmental actions should start from each household, to specific communities, then the society.
“Tree planting in vacant lots, waste management, recycling, and energy conservation are common examples,” she said adding “We have to admit that Bruneians are environment lovers and are active individuals when it comes to environmental conservation”.
She related that there are a lot to mention in terms of environmental campaign. The Forestry Department is active in promoting environmental awareness campaign among the youth. Programme such as Princess Rashidah Young Nature Scientist Award (Prynsa), nature camp, nature excursion and ‘Forestry-to-schools’ programme have raised so-called eco-warriors.
Linda said, “The response from the public and relevant stakeholders are excellent.”
“We have to be reminded that the government is not the only sector responsible for environmental protection and conservation. All sectors including private and the public, have their own share of (taking care) of the environment,” she added.
“Environmental protection is a must to nations like Brunei. If Brunei protects its environment, its Brunei who will be first to benefit from it,” Linda said.
“All of the Brunei forests are managed toward sustainable forestry. In every forestry operation, environmental considerations are always accounted in every decision and appropriate mitigating measures are at hand to secure the integrity of the environment,” she added.
The senior forestry officer said, healthy environment means healthy people, favourable micro-weather condition, more economic and productive activities, and stable socio-political condition.
Despite the limited land resources in Brunei, the government of His Majesty has continuously maintained the integrity of its environment while initiating development in all sectors of the society.
Linda said that the theme of this year’s World Environment Day 2010, “Many Species, One Planet, One Future” is very much relevant to the environmental condition of Brunei.
“Our country is globally recognised as among the biodiversity hotspot because of our pristine biological environmental condition.
At present, there is no visible environmental threat in Brunei. However, potential environmental threats in the future may include, among others, landuse conversion and over-dependence on burning fossil fuel, Linda said.
“To overcome the identified potential threat to the environment, proper planning and stakeholder coordination shall be conducted at all times. Considering that environmental effects are holistic in nature, it became a necessity to involve all stakeholders in our planning processes and formulate a holistic response towards environmental conservation without compromising development in the sector,” added the senior forestry officer.
The Brunei Times
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