Saturday, April 25, 2015

ECO-EDU TOUR TO JOHOR BAHRU

40 Diploma in Environmental Management and Water Technology (DEWT) Year 1 students embarked on their 1st overseas trip in Singapore Polytechnic to Johor Bahru, Malaysia for a 3-days study trip to appreciate the issues in the world contributing to environmental impact.

To appreciate the natural environment is to truly immerse oneself in it. Students visited the Tanjong Piai National Park, camped overnight at a Waterhouse in Kukup Fishing Village, stepped onto a Floating Fish Farm (Kelong) and learnt about Organic Farming.

At Tanjong Piai National Park, students explored the park through its boardwalk, tower and bird hides. They learn about the Mangrove Eco system, saw the diverse species of flora and fauna, including the mangrove crabs, bead-eyed mudskippers and crab-eating macaques. Despite the heavy drizzle, they were pleased to be standing on the ‘Southern most tip of Mainland Asia’ and could not bear to leave the place.

Proceeding on to Kukup Fishing Village, students took a boat ride to visit the Floating Fish Farm (Kelong) to learn about the characteristics, feeding habits & cultivation of fishes. The varieties of fishes included the famous archer fish and starfish. They were also told by the fish farm owner that he supplies 60% of their grouper fish harvest to Singapore. Camping at the Waterhouse was a truly memorable night as they enjoyed the bonding time singing Karaoke, playing mah-jong, admiring twinkling stars under the dark sky and eating fresh seafood BBQ.

Wish to get a chance to harvest your own vegetables? It was made possible at the Kluang Organic Farm. Students harvested their own lady fingers, sweet potatoes, chillis, papayas, passion fruits, etc. Other activities included visit to the Mulberry farm, Dragon fruit farm, Herbs Garden, Mushroom house to know more about the various organically grown vegetables & fruits. They learnt about the benefits of organic farming and making of the EM 'mud ball' used for environment conservation programs. (The EM mud balls are useful as one of the environmental solutions towards reducing water pollutants and thus improve water quality in the rivers and drains.)

Through this trip, the Year 1 students experienced the natural environment and its impacts as well as fostered stronger friendship bonds.

World Earth Day Celebration 2014

world-earth-day-celebration-2014

World Earth Day Celebration 2014

"Towards Green City at Seri Austin"Apr 23, 2014

On Saturday, 19th April 2014 , Dynasty View Sdn Bhd (DVSB), a wholly owned subsidiary of United Malayan Land Berhad, celebrated the ”Towards Green City at Seri Austin ” with many activities in conjunction with the World Earth Day Celebration 2014. The Guest of Honor was Encik Abdul Rahman Bin Abdullah, Penolong Pengarah Khidmat Pengurusan Pentadbiran from MBJB. Also present was the Chief Executive Officer of Dynasty View Sdn Bhd, Mr KK Wong and Wife to Johor Police Chief Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff, YBHg Datin Bibi Zakiah.

En Abdul Rahman said that Seri Austin Township has continuously and never fail to celebrate Earth Day annually to promote green healthy city township. Seri Austin township development, with the passion and leadership of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr KK Wong has strongly drive the implementation of Effective Microorganism (EM) Technology since year 2008 till now continuously to promote Healthy Green City conducive environment. Seri Austin not only sells houses but the communities and purchasers who are staying here can get the chance to enjoy and embrace healthy livable environment which is unique and distinctive in Johor Bahru.

Cycling

The passion and commitment towards green city has lead us to be recognized as the 1stSmart Healthy City and Communities Township and being the role model township in Iskandar Malaysia. Seri Austin was also awarded two smoke-free town parks early this year by the local authorities. The township provides healthy open town parks with amenities and Seri Austin was the 1st to enable Effective Microorganism (JB) in Johor Bahru and 1stdesignated bicycle lanes in Johor.

The day started with EM Mud ball competition for schools where over 6255 pcs were made. This is part of DVSB’s effort to save planet earth thru Effective Microorganisms (EM). There are over 108 students participate in this competition. The primary school category won by students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Daya with 286 pcs of mud ball and for secondary school category won by Sek Menengah Taman Daya with 407 pcs of mudball.

Tree-planting

Amongst the highlights of the event was Cycling Activity around the Seri Austin Township, Throwing Mudball at Seri Austin Lake and Tree Planting ceremony by The Guest of Honor together with the community and the riders. The tree planting ceremony symbolizes the continuous effort to advocate a greener and healthier living in the township.

Other activities were Exhibition by Southern Waste Management (SWM), Jabatan Kesihatan and Jabatan Saliran (MBJB) to provide the public better information on environment and to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment.

Farming And Gardening With Effective Micro-organisms (EM)

Effective Micro-organisms (EM) are a combination of useful regenerated micro-organisms that exist freely in nature, not manipulated in any way and cultured according to a specific method in liquid form. Some of these micro-organisms are known to produce bioactive substances such as vitamins, hormones, enzymes, antioxidants and antibiotics that can directly, or indirectly enhance plant growth and protection. Effective Micro-organisms consist of many different kinds of effective, disease-suppressing micro-organisms where each micro-organism has a specific task.

Effective Micro-organisms (EM) were found by Dr. Teruo Higa, Professor of Horticulture, University of the Ryukyus Okinawa in 1983. Since then, EM products have been on the Japanese market and currently, EM is one of the most popular microbial technologies use worldwide especially in farming, livestock, environmental clean-up (polluted waterways, lakes and lagoons) and health industries. Effective Micro-organisms are safe for usage because they are harmless as they are 100% organic, not chemically-synthesized. Furthermore, EM is not a drug.

Effective Microbes Usage In The Agricultural Sector

Advantages To Plants

– To encourage growth and maturity in plants.

– To make plants greener.

– To inhibits the growth of bad bacteria that carry diseases in the soil.

– To act as a natural fertilizer by adding organic matter to the soil.

– To control the degree of soil moisturization and nutrient absorption.

– To improve the physical and biological properties of the soil.

– To increase ventilation in the soil.

– To encourage rooting and flowering for plants.

– To detoxify residual herbicides and pesticides in the soil.

– To eliminate the usage of chemical fertilizers.

– To act as insecticides, pesticides and repellant to pests like rats and plant hoppers

that will damage plants.

Advantages To Livestocks

– To improve the animal’s health.

– To extend the animal’s life expectancy.

– To produce odourless high quality stools .

– To reduce flies, fleas and other insects harmful to livestocks.

In Malaysia, the usage of Effective Microbes (EM) technology in agriculture was pioneered by the co-operation of the state government of Johor, Southern Johor Bahru Farmers’ Organization Authorities and University Technology of Malaysia. The technology was introduced to farmers by the Johor state government through the Southern Johor Bahru Farmers’ Organization Authorities in 2004. The result of using Effective Microbes (EM) on the crops are enormous. The crops which being sprayed with Effective Microbes (EM) are diseases resistant and of better quality. It also takes shorter time to harvest and higher in productivity.

Sources: http://www.johordt.gov.my/pmbj/v2/index.php?

Effective Microbes (EM) is an alternative agricultural technology, a combination of micro-organisms, which is breed through a naturally produced process. Effective Microbes (EM) produced beneficial substances to the crops, such as, vitamins, organic acids, minerals and anti-oxidants, when ever in contact or mixed with organic matters. This technology is suitable for agricultural sector, whether in a large or small scale.

Sources: http://www.johordt.gov.my/pmbj/v2/index.php?

Agriculture, especially farming, is the backbone of Malaysia’s economy. The use of Effective Microbes (EM) in the agricultural sector, either as fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides and livestock boosters, is very timely due to the advantages in increasing the country’s agricultural productivity.