THE Global Environment Centre (GEC), the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ) and the Backpackers Association will be running monthly trips up Bukit Gasing for secondary school students as part of a new environmental education programme.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hou launched the educational programme for the first batch of 60 students from SMK Yu Hua in Kajang and SMK La Salle, Petaling Jaya, last Saturday.
GEC programme officer Dr K. Kalithasan led the two-hour tour, with stops at several strategic spots where environmental experiments could be carried out. The students were given information packs and a bio-indicator list that enabled them to judge
the pollution level of streams based on the life forms present.
The first stop, not far into the Bukit Gasing trail, was a stream no deeper than two inches. Dr Kalithasan started off with a test of the water’s pH level and temperature while the students observed and asked questions.
Trees of interest were also pointed out, such as the pulai tree, a soft wood tree used for the making of pencils. As the students walked further into the forest reserve, they were brought to the raised platform built by MPPJ to listen to birds and observe the forest.
“We want the students to be able to identify trees, erosion, look at abandoned camp sites and view the effects of man’s interference with nature,” said Dr Kalithasan.
Dr Wong, who is also the MPPJ environment committee chairman, said this was the first of many treks on the Bukit Gasing trail, while Bukit Kiara, Bukit Lanjan and Sungai Rumput were being looked at as options for such tours.
“We started this programme because secondary school students showed interest in studying the hills after an article in The Star highlighted the environmental aspects of Bukit Gasing,” said Dr Wong.