Antara News, Friday, October 15, 2010 12:50 WIB
Bandarlampung, Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Heifer International, an international research development institution, has presented an award to Ahmad Salim (30), a fisherman from Pahawang Island, Lampung, for his efforts in preserving the environment.
"I was awarded the appreciation for my role in environmental and mangrove forest conservation on Pahawang Island in the last three years," he said here Friday.
Besides receiving the award, Ahmad is also entitled to a coaching fund prize of 1.000 US dollars for developing and conservation of the environment.
Ahmad Salim is a Pahawang islander who has been trained by Mitra Bentala, a non-profit organization on environmental issues, to save the ecosystem and biota in the Pahawang Island waters.
He started the activity in leading and training the villagers in conserving mangrove forests since 2007.
He was an environmental vandal before becoming famous as environment protector.
He used to go fishing by bombing and rooting mangrove plants in his fishing operations.
"Fishing in that way could earn me Rp200 thousand per day," he said.
He had not realized at that time that his action destroyed sea biota and might cause catastrophe.
His father, who was head of Pahawang village, has even resigned because of his action destroying the environment.
"My father always advised me to keep the environment well preserved, but I was an environmental vandal," he said.
He abandoned the bad habit in 2007 when he joined an environmental sustainability training held by Mitra Bentala.
After the training, Ahmad and his friends were grouped by the NGO to be the front guard of mangrove forest conservation.
"For three years we have worked hard raise and preserve the forests ," he added.
Ahmad did not expect that he would receive the international award for his services.
The international environmental award was given directly by Heifer International officer Meredith Rolf on September 29.
