TERENGGANU- Terengganu is well known with its beautiful beaches and cultural heritage. The state offers many tourist attractions for visitors to visit Terengganu and one of them is Lagun Kuala Ibai, Kuala Terengganu. This place is not only famous among the locals but also visitors from all over the country. However, there is a price to pay when it has become a famous tourist spot, the cleanliness of the place started to tarnish.
As much as people enjoy the picturesque views, at the same time they are also staining it with rubbish. Lack of awareness in taking care of the environment and relying on the authority to do the job have become the major factors contributing to this problem. Therefore, Eco Barian, the team from SMK Tengku Bariah who represented Terengganu at Toyota Eco Youth 2023/24 competition is taking the challenge to spread awareness especially among the younger generation.
The Toyota Eco Youth competition, orchestrated by UMW Toyota Motor at a national level, strives to enlighten the younger generation and inspire them to value the significance of maintaining clean and sustainable environments. On October 14th, 2023, the team organized “We Care, We Clean Program’. This program received unwavering supports from the school authority (SMK Tengku Bariah) collaborated with Kuala Terengganu District Education Office (PPDKT), Majlis Bandaraya Kuala Terengganu (MBKT), environment NGO Geng Plastic Ija (GPI) and Toyota Crestmax Auto (KT).
There were 11 schools around Kuala Terengganu and visitors at Lagun Kuala Ibai involved in this program, together with the authorities. Through this program, it managed to collect 347.75 kg of rubbish. This campaign is not only to clean the place but also to inculcate recycling habits through the competitions held where they had to create costumes and products from recyclable items.
From this program too, the students and the public have been introduced to the environmental NGO Geng Plastic Ija and learned what they can contribute to taking care of the environment. Not only that, but they also got to learn about recycling and with their creative minds, produced great products from it. This is a great exposure on community service for them and an eye opener on the importance of preserving nature.
It is hoped that people, especially the younger generation, will start to appreciate nature by taking the responsibilities and work hand in hand with the authorities. The team is set to showcase their endeavors in upholding an eco-friendly and sustainable environment at the conclusive phase of the Toyota Eco Youth competition, taking place from January 21 to 23, 2024, in Putrajaya.
For more information on Toyota Eco Youth programme, visit https://www.toyota.com.my/toyotaecoyouth/ or call the Toyota freephone line 1-800-8-TOYOTA (869682).
This article is provided by UMW Toyota Motor Berhad
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