A quiet evening stroll on Meragang beach. Picture: BT file
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
PLANNERS behind the bid to develop one of Brunei's public beaches to be worthy of an internationally-recognised "eco-label" by the end of next year are considering the construction of an information centre that will derive some of its power from the sun, wind and biogas.
The incorporation of such renewable energy technology in Meragang beach's proposed Environmental Information Centre is hoped to complement one of the main components of the Blue Flag programme for beaches and marinas, said the president of Beach Bunch, the non-government environmental organisation leading the local initiative.
"The Blue Flag Environmental Information Centre (EIC) is hoped to promote environmental education to the beach users through passive/ active participation, training activities, publication and media," said Rizan Latif in an email to The Brunei Times yesterday.
This was in line with the stringent standards put in place by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a United Nations linked non-profit, non-governmental organisation that owns and runs the Blue Flag programme worldwide.
"The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development at beaches and marinas through publicly awarding sites that meet strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services. A few of the issues covered in the criteria include cleanliness, provisions for waste and recycling, zoning of activities, and environmental education activities for a variety of people," the FEE said in one of its websites.
The Beach Bunch president said that once opened, the EIC would serve the purpose of disseminating environmental education issues as well as information on the Blue Flag to visitors of Meragang beach.
"Such a centre or place offers both activities and exhibitions and provides environmental and nature information in order to qualify as an environmental interpretation or education centre," said RizanAlthough the size of the centre has yet to be decided, its establishment is expected to cost under a million of the roughly $2 million budget that Beach Bunch is currently trying to raise through sponsorships.
The volunteer group is also working on the feasibility studies and conceptual design for the Blue Flag bid for Meragang beach which are anticipated to be completed by the end of this month.
The information will be showcased during a national workshop now postponed to midJanuary, when relevant government agencies such as the Ministry of Development and the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources will be invited to hear out Beach Bunch's pitch on the Blue Flag. Government approval and support is needed for the initiative to proceed.
Renewable energy and "clean energy" technology has been a feature in existing Blue Flag beaches and marinas.
According to its website, the Marina Chiavari in Italy has photovoltaic solar panels installed along its dock.
"The energy produced by the panels can satisfy a great part of the port's facilities' energy requirements. The ports staff uses electric cars and bicycles to move around the port and in Chiavari without pollution," the website said.
Exploring alternate and renewable energy sources has become a focus in Brunei, particularly as the government leads efforts to decrease national energy consumption and works on promoting energy efficiency and conservation.
The Brunei Economic Development Board's Knowledge Hub in Anggerek Desa, reportedly Brunei's first "green building", was completed near the beginning of this year. The building features solar power generation and incorporates energy-saving technologies such as motion sensors for lighting and energy-saving elevators.
The Sultanate is also home to one of the largest solar power demonstration projects in Asia. The 1.2 Megawatt Tenaga Suria Brunei project is already supplying some of the household electricity demand in Seria.
courtesy of--The Brunei Times
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