Sabahan teen makes waves as a young environmental conservationist

Teenager Harvisanth Singh recognised for his marine environmental efforts to bag the Bronze Award of the Duke Edinburgh’s International Award 2020.

KOTA KINABALU: Harvisanth Singh is just into his teens but he is highly motivated towards conserving the environment.

The 14-year-old certified scuba diver is an active conservationist who is involved in efforts and programmes to save the marine environment in Sabah.

The teenager's keen and active participation in environmental efforts bagged him the Bronze Award of the Duke Edinburgh's International Award 2020 that recognises young people involved in conservation efforts.

Harvisanth, a Form Two student at SMK Peter Mojuntin in Penampang, is always driven by the keen interest to protect the environment.

"Harvisanth is known as a driven young man with a keen interest in environmental, plastic pollution issues specifically on marine life and ecosystems.

"His passion has motivated him to address Sabah's growing environmental problems," said his mentor Beh Zeng Kang, a former Gold Award Leader who is inspiring young people to participate in conservation efforts.

To achieve the award, Harvinder had to meet four elements - community, skills learning, physical recreation and adventure which he participated in and qualified for the bronze award.

"He is the youngest from the state to win the bronze and he needs to participate for the silver in 2021 and eye for the gold the following year which could make him the youngest winner of the award," said Beh, adding that the gold award was usually presented by the Prime Minister.

Beh said Harvisanth's achievement has allowed him to witness the huge potential of young people in conservation and sustainable development in Sabah.

"It has shown the importance of engaging youth not only as participants and collaborators but also as genuine strategic partners.

"By engaging youth around coastal and rural communities, we can also bring people together, fostering good citizenship, peace and pride, and ultimately, building communities of optimism and hope.

"This is exactly what marine conservation and our world needs," he said.

Harvisanth's mother Monica Chin said she was very proud of her son's achievement and he had to work hard to gain the recognition.

Chin, who is also an environmental activist involved in campaigns to save the sharks as well as co-founder of Blu Hope, said youths were already coming up with creative solutions to the world's greatest environmental challenges.

"It is to tap into the estimated 1.8 billion youth population worldwide and focus their energy on the potential for innovation and creativity to meet the challenges.

"Only 3% of the world's ocean were protected while overfishing and ecosystem degradation jeopardise food security, and sea-level rise endangers the well-being of coastal communities.

"We must give the young generation an opportunity and attention before it is too late, they are the people who will carry on our legacy for the next generation in Sabah," said Chin.