Kuching, Saturday, April 18, 2009 - SARAWAK FORESTRY today reached out to school children in educating and promoting public awareness in conservation of the environment and natural resources.  Its signature corporate social responsibility program – Nature n’ Ü: Cave Xplorer, brought 30 secondary school students to explore the Fairy Cave and educating aspects of ecology, cave formation, vegetation of scree forest, micro-climate and many more.  The cave exploration program was organized in commemoration with the World Forestry Day.

Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Planning and Resource Management, Director of Forests, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of SARAWAK FORESTRY and General Manager, STIDC said Nature ‘n U has built its reputation as an important and effective program to reach out to school children in promoting awareness.  “This program cultivates great values in children by incorporating discipline, teamwork and responsibility, besides educating the sense of being responsible to protect and conserve the environment.”  His speech was read by Wilfred Landong, General Manager, Protected Areas and Biodiversity Conservation, SARAWAK FORESTRY during the closing ceremony held at Wind Cave Nature Reserve in Bau – 48 km away from Kuching.

Len Talif believed SARAWAK FORESTRY has managed to create a ‘spark’ the desire in the students to explore and learn more.  “At the end of the day, at least SARAWAK FORESTRY can be rest assured that these students will be the one carrying the mantle of conservation later on whether be it via direct or indirect involvement, career-wise later on”.

He acknowledged the fact that though most of the student joining the programs lives near Bau area, from the survey of similar program held last year, SARAWAK FORESTRY managed to gauge further understanding on their level of awareness.  He added “though living near these areas are not aware of interesting, special and unique things that they have here in abundance”.

Len Talif stressed that the exploration aimed to gauge and observe their recollection, application, progress and enhance their learning experience from last year’s Nature ‘n U program to date.  “This will enable us to keep track of their development, thus enable us to tailor-made a program to further develop the group”.

Len Talif emphasized “we know from experience and scientific research that sustainable development use is often compatible with environmental protection.   SARAWAK FORESTRY understands that some of the most biologically diverse forests in the state are those with a history of multiple uses.”

He acknowledged there are a lot more to learn and explore about nature, especially in Sarawak - one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world.  “The learning process should be continuous, if not through program such as this, students shall use library resources, environmental-based school clubs, newspapers and others.”

He emphasized “Acquiring knowledge does not happened overnight, but I believed if you have the ‘spark’ ignited in you, you are on the right path because the motivation is there to drive you to seek more”.

He also urged students to share what they have learnt with others.  The cave exploration which marks the conclusion of a week-long activities in commemoration of the World Forestry Day saw the Nature ‘n U project presentation followed by questions and answers session from the audience.

The program wrapped-up with award presentation to all groups and Best Project Paper Award for most outstanding group presentation.  Group awarded with Best Project Paper Award received BSN premium savings certificates of RM300, while consolation prize winners received RM200 each.

30 students from SMK Lake, SMK Paku and SMK Bau joined SARAWAK FORESTRY Cave Xplorer this year, together with 25 staff members of SARAWAK FORESTRY.  The students were also involved in similar program held at Fairy Cave and Wind Cave Nature Reserve.  The exploration route covered the upper cave of Fairy Cave to the top of Mount Kapow.