DILI, 05 june 2023 (TATOLI)- National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL), Institution of Business (IOB), Oriental University (UNITAL), and University Da Paz (UNPAZ) conduct beach cleanup activity on the commemoration of International Environmental Day, held on 5 of June 2023.
UNTL lecturer of Agriculture and Fishery and marine science department, Mario Markus Carvalho said the main objective of this activity is to commemorate International Environmental Day and International ocean day.
“We do beach cleanup activity to reduce plastic waste are not effective to the ocean resources such as spices of fishes, coral, lobster, and others,’’ A lecturer of Agriculture and Fishery and Marine Science department Mario Cabral told journalists in BJ Habibie Bridge, Bidau Santana, this Monday.
He added that the beach cleanup activity divides into three parts such as for west part, the east, and also across the sides of the rivers. The rubbish collection will separate into two parts comprising plastic waste materials and non-plastic waste materials.
UNTL student is using the simple random methodology to find out the type of rubbishes contributed mainly by the community to the beach area.
Mr. Carvalho added after identifying the number of plastic waste. He will share information on social media official Face book of the marine conservation department to help people to understand the impact of plastic rubbish in the ocean based.
“We will share information on the impact of plastic waste on the ocean resource. We understand that plastic trash can affect ocean pollution and the development of species in the sea,” he said.
Director of Information and Education of Environmental Center (SEA), Amenica Machado Fernandes, said the rubbish issue is a main environmental problem in Timor-Leste.
The government of Timor-Leste through the Environmental Secretariat has a policy for implementing a Zero plastic program.
SEA has working on an effort to reduce the single used plastic. The progress has shown many KIOS and restaurants are not using single-use plastic.
“We also involve youth in collective action for environmental protection. We consider young people taking important roles for the environmental protection,’’ She said
The Environmental protection brigades are always taking action for cleanup activity in every place across Dili town every Saturday. SEA believes this action will help to reduce plastic waste which has a significant impact on the development of the ocean resource.
Based on International Data over 400 million tons of plastic trash most affected the ocean resource and Timor-Leste can be contributing to this number.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
