UNESCO offers to train public in trash handling

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has offered to train the public in how to deal with garbage as a way of tackling the mounting problem of trash in the city and to reduce damage to the marine ecosystem.

"We're offering the trash training free of charge. This is part of our current program to save the marine ecosystem by tackling the problem of garbage in the city," said Program Senior Assistant to UNESCO's Jakarta representative Nuning Wirjoatmodjo.

She was speaking to Antara on Sunday during a ceremony for growing productive and rare trees and cleaning garbage from the Pesanggerahan river in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta.

The environmental activity, which was organized by Tani Sangga Buana Club, the Kirai Foundation and UNESCO, was participated in by the South Jakarta Scouts, high school students, the Navy, journalists and a number of nongovernmental organizations.

She cited the Pesanggerahan as a good example of how a river can be cleansed of garbage in order to avoid damaging the marine ecosystem.

In 1994, the river was full of garbage and its banks were barren. But now, thanks to Chairudin, who initiated the environmental program through his nongovernmental organization, Sangga Buana, it is now clean and its banks have been reforested.

"This is a good example of a clean and green river that should be promoted to students and the general public," said Nuning.

Chairudin, who also improved the welfare of farmers around the river, won a Kalpataru award from the Jakarta city administration.