Environmental Protection
Clean La Jetée
Marine environments in Malaysia continue to face serious problems, mostly due to the worsening of water pollution over the years. Rapid development along coastal areas and influences from the mainland has been identified as the major factor affecting marine pollution. Jetty is a structure extended into a sea or river to influence the current or tide to protect a harbour. For example, it may use as a communication system of transport, the fisheries, tourism and others. But, all of this can be disappeared slowly if the jetty was polluted. Recently reported, water pollution in Perkampungan Nelayan Orang Asli, Pasir Gudang Johor became more serious and it already continuous almost 10 years and its make 120 fisherman loss the profit. According to the Malay Mail News, the polluted river was happened in 2008 until almost all the fisherman needs to pay all the loss every year. Their income has mostly reduced from RM 2,000 to only RM 800 per month. The problem was already reported to authorities but no action has been taken so far. The main objective of this project is to provide awareness to the Orang Asli and fisherman communities on the importance of the river to the life ecosystem. This project also aims to enhance the water quality level at Orang Asli Jetty area. The water will be treated with effective microorganism (EM) mud ball to absorb the heavy metal content and treated grass absorbent to absorb the oil spillage. These mudballs purportedly contain properties that will purify water, improve water quality and solve sanitation problems. Whereas, the treated grass is a safer and more efficient methods of cleaning up oil spill due to high cellulose content and water repellent structure. The water treatment will be focused at fisherman jetty since jetty is the most polluted area due to boat oil spill and boat cleaning activities. Furthermore, Orang Asli depends on the water and fish as the main food for their community without knowing the habitat is already affected from the polluted water. Extensive pollution able to eliminate all the sources of income including damaging the ecosystem and dirty water also can affect their health. An understanding of the process involved in maintaining and preserving the quality of water is needed to give people an assurance of health and safety.EM Mudball' is a mixture of clay, organic matter, molasses, minerals and a good combination of bactericidal lactic, phototropic, yeast and antinomycetes. All the ingredients will be crushed into a ball shape and thrown into the river. This Mudball can only be used after being dried for about a week.EM Mudball is formulated for environment disadvantages that are easily handled and submerged in water and act slowly from the bottom of the water. It aims to break down organic molecules such as waste, mud, heavy iron and so on. The material takes 30 days to dissolve and all microorganisms will begin to react to decompose any sediments found in the river. In addition, one mudball is able to clean about 1000 liters of water gradually according to the pollution level that occurs in the river. The good bacteria found in 'mudball' will be longer and more active than conservation using liquid EM technology. It is not only able to solve the problem of water pollution but also able to repair the existing water quality. The life of flora and fauna in the water is also preserved and the ecosystem of life is not affected.Figure below shows the E.M. Mudballs being thrown into rivers, lake and seas during beach and river cleanup campaigns. It also has been recognized by Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) Malaysia and researcher Deric Tan from Sabah claim after a month’s throwing the mudball, the sludge and foul odor completely disappeared.“Clean La Jetée” may be one of the inspiring ideas that will change the minds of the young generation and the local community towards the positive thinking and the important of clean environment. This program will be carried out in collaboration with volunteers form Persatuan Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya of UiTM Cawangan Johor Kampus Pasir Gudang. With this collaboration, it is hoped that it will be able to attract more young generations to care on the cleanliness of the jetty. Furthermore, this program might be part of leisure activities such as do the mudball with the community and it is vital for humans to protect and control marine environments from water pollution. The more people involve with this program, the higher the impact of this group to care on the jetty since they need to clean area for their own benefits.