PETALING JAYA, June 7 — Youths must take the lead in driving environmental awareness by utilising social media to champion river conservation efforts and address irresponsible attitudes that lead to pollution.
Belia on Sungai participant Nurul Balqis Muhamad Azizul, 18, said social media is a powerful tool for disseminating information on the importance of preserving the environment, particularly rivers, which play a crucial role in sustaining life.
Involvement in volunteer initiatives provides participants with meaningful experiences while fostering a deeper understanding of environmental pollution and its impacts.
“Since my school days, I have been interested in participating in volunteer programmes, but I only had the opportunity to get involved in an initiative like this now that I am 18 years old.
“Volunteer programmes provide participants with valuable exposure and can indirectly help universities and employers identify individuals who are actively involved in community activities,” she told Media Selangor.
Meanwhile, another participant, Khaviraj Karunanithi, 19, said river cleanliness must be prioritised as it is closely linked to public health and environmental sustainability.
Joining the programme on his own initiative, he said the community should develop a greater appreciation for the environment and play an active role in its preservation, while fostering a stronger sense of responsibility towards maintaining clean rivers.
“Many people today are so occupied with their daily lives that they sometimes overlook the importance of appreciating and caring for the environment around them.
“It is time for all of us to take collective responsibility for protecting our rivers and ensuring they remain clean for future generations, while continuing to strengthen public awareness of the importance of environmental conservation,” Khaviraj said.
Earlier, state executive councillor for public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the initiative was designed not only to clean rivers but also to provide young people with practical exposure to environmental conservation and sustainability issues.
The programme marked a significant milestone as the first initiative to engage youth and students in river conservation activities, drawing 100 participants from three higher learning institutions and demonstrating strong support for environmental sustainability among the younger generation.
The initiative, organised by the Bandar Utama chapter of the Selangor Youth Movement, saw students from INTI College, UCSI University, and BAC collect a total of 528.9kg of waste through cleanup efforts carried out in the river and reservoir catchment areas.
