UNESCO offers to train public in trash handling

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.