BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEI joined the rest of the world in celebrating the 45th Earth Day yesterday, with the Minister of Development citing the need for the country to maintain the “Green Area Ratio”.

“Even with the rate of development in the country, we still want to maintain the green ratio as an appreciation for our green beauty, and as (part of) continuous efforts to boost environmental awareness,” Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman said.

Green Area Ratio is an environmental sustainability zoning regulation that sets standards for landscape and site design to enhance urban environment.

The Minister, who spoke to The Brunei Times, led the country’s Earth Day celebration, which carried the theme “It’s Our Turn to Lead”.

Earth Day is celebrated annually every April 22. The celebration was held at the open park area by the Berakas River along the Hassanal Bolkiah Highway in Mukim Berakas A.

With the park’s close location to Kg Burong Pingai, Mukim Berakas A, the Minister hoped that the residents and members of the public visiting the park would be able to appreciate the beauty that the facility has to offer and will also play a role in maintaining its cleanliness.

“We do not have an official launching of the park. This park is open to the public even if there are still some works being done here. As long as it [visit] will not disturb the ongoing works and the safety of visitors and park users are taken cared of, the park is open for public use,” he said.

Yesterday’s Earth Day celebration centred on bringing in people from different levels of the community to work together, with the ministry’s Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) taking the lead. More than 200 tree saplings were planted in nine zones in the park as part of the celebration.

JASTRe’s initiative in enhancing the involvement of the community in green activities was aimed at instilling the sense of stewardship.

The Brunei Times