When children are asked to name rivers, many cite towns and areas instead.
“They mention Sungai Buloh and Sungai Besi instead of Sungai Klang and Sungai Kayu Ara, which are rivers near these places,” said Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor Quratulain Atiqah Norzahirul Anuar.
She noted that the resulting “Adiwira Cilik Bumi Petaling Jaya” programme grew from a realisation that this lack of environmental awareness had to be addressed.
The programme, translated as young green heroes, was further inspired by a working visit to Bali, Indonesia, with Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin, she said.
During the trip, Quratulain Atiqah witnessed young children being taught their role in environmental stewardship.
Upon her return, she initiated the six-month “Adiwira Cilik Bumi” programme for children aged four to six from MBPJ kindergartens.
The programme, in partnership with Sungai Dusun Wildlife Conservation Centre (SDWCC), Selangor Forestry Department and Eco Lestari Strategy, welcomed 122 child participants.
SDWCC department head Mohd Adli Ahmad said as part of the programme, the children were given the opportunity to feed tapirs at the centre.
“We showed them how tapirs are illegally trapped and how this contributes to their endangered status,” he said.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon said, “This was our pilot project to engage preschool children.
“We would like to expand this programme to Taska Kemas and Taska Perpaduan (for children aged below four).
“It is important to start raising environmental awareness among young children.
“I hope they practise what they learned here at home,” he added during the Pesta Bumi Kecil event in Taman Jaya, Petaling Jaya, where the young participants received their certificates.
MBPJ Licensing Department director Sharinaz Samsudin said the programme was part of the “Charge Beg Plastic” initiative, with proceeds from plastic bag sales channelled towards environmental awareness programmes.
“Besides the Pesta Bumi Kecil, we will also conduct other environmental initiatives such as the one planned for Ramadan bazaars,” she said.
