he Year 9 students of Chung Ching Middle School attended the Forest Biodiversity Awareness Program, organised by the Forestry Department of Brunei Darussalam, on 18th March 2023. The program took place at the Tropical Biodiversity Centre, Labi, and is open to the public for visitation.
At the centre, the host conducted a presentation regarding forest biodiversity and explained the importance of protecting the forest. Through the exhibition tour, students learned about the different species of insects, plants and animals, most of which, are the first time they have heard of, and seen, in real. The highlight of the trip, was the short jungle walk along the Bamboo Trail, located behind the Tropical Biodiversity Centre. Through the jungle walk which lasted about 30 to 40 minutes, the students had a taste of a unique real-life adventure with nature which they would not usually have in their daily lives. The students were fascinated with the different types of trees, some with different colours of latex while the others adorned with special patterns, as the guide introduced each kind along the trail. Despite the fatigue and muddy shoes by the end of the journey, the students enjoyed health benefits from the walk and reaped new knowledge.
At the end of the program, students were asked to share their experience and learning. From their ardent responses, the objectives of the Forest Biodiversity Awareness Program can be said to have been greatly apprehended through the abundant information the students have been blessed with.