Raising 1,000 pairs of helping hands for Mother Nature

HEEDING the government's call for companies to take their corporate social responsibilities more seriously, Port of Tanjung Pelepas Bhd (PTP) recently collaborated with Johor National Parks Corporation (JNPC) to organise a five-day environmental awareness campaign.

Themed "Caring for the wetlands", the campaign was aimed at creating awareness about the importance of protecting the environment among schoolchildren.

Some 1,000 pupils from five primary schools in the Gelang Patah area took part in the campaign.

Participants were briefed on the Sungai Pulai Ramsar site (a wetlands area of international importance).

They also took part in activities such as quizzes and question and answer sessions.

The pupils were encouraged to pledge to take part in activities which help to conserve the environment.

"PTP places great importance on the wellbeing and socio-economic development of communities around the port, said PTP chief executive officer Ismail Hashim

"The campaign is one of the many programmes that we have lined up in our effort to continue to contribute to communities in Gelang Patah," he added.

Harban Singh, the manager of JNPC said: "We believe that such programmes will help to increase public awareness of the Ramsar site, which is one of our national treasures."

The campaign is divided into two phases and each phase involves students from five schools. The second phase of the campaign will take place next January.

Besides the campaign, PTP also organised motivational programmes and sponsored tuition classes for schoolchildren.

A "Back to school" campaign was also held for the Orang Asli of Kampung Simpang Arang.