Source : Brunei Direct, Brunei, 06 Jun 2010
By : Quratul-Ain Bandial
  

	Deputy Development Minister Dato Paduka Hj All Hj Apong planting one of the herbal species after the officiating of the Kg Putat Herbal Recreational Park at Mukim Lumapas.

The park, which measures a quarter of a hectare, is an initiative of the Kg Putat Consultative Council, in cooperation with the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (Jastre), to preserve indigenous herb species which possess medicinal properties such as Daun Pahit, Daun Sirih, Kunyit Putih, among others.

In his welcoming remarks, Hj Jumat Akim, the Kg Putat village head said: "This park will provide a platform to enhance the residents' knowledge of the medicinal properties of the plants and will also serve as a leisure and recreation area for them."

More than 60 village residents came to mark the opening, which coincides with World Environment Day 2010, themed "Biodiversity: Many Species: One Planet; One Future". The Kg Putat park is also part of Jastre's plan to introduce "thematic recreational areas" across the Brunei-Muara district.

The guest of honour, Development Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dare Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman officiated the opening by planting one of the herbal plant species in the park.

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi also presided over foundation-laying for a central waste disposal and rubbish collection point for village residents.

Kg Putat is known for its unique environment, rich in flora and fauna as well as wildlife species like the famed proboscis monkey.

Hj Jumat said that the village consultative council plans to exploit the area's charm and attractions to entice more visitors, and hence, more development to the area.

Fishing and jungle-trekking are some points of interest for tourism and the fertile soil also makes it prime real estate for agricultural activity.

Kg Putat resident, Siti Mardina told The Brunei Times that so many of the villagers had come to see the opening of the park because they felt a sense of pride and ownership, as they had worked together to bring about its materialisation.

"I really hope that people will pay a little more attention to our village now. We are a little isolated due to our location in (Brunei's) interior but maybe one day they will build that bridge linking Bandar with Lumapas and it will bring more people to the area," she said.

In order to ensure that the members of the public take part in environmental conservation activities, Jastre now focuses on providing education, engagement and empowering the public in environmental conservation.

"We are confident that Bruneians are now more aware of environmental issues, therefore our activities will be more on engaging and empowering them so that they can be initiators as we want to instil a greater sense of ownership and responsibility on the activities undertaken," said Martinah Tamit, head of the Environment Planning and Management Division in an email interview with The Brunei Times.

She added, "The need to preserve our biodiversity is for our future generation. Brunei Darussalam with its diverse species needs to make people aware of the importance of biodiversity conservation."