Sustainable development Batam

We took an hour ferry ride from Singapore to Batam. Left Singapore at 8am.

Passed by Sentosa 

Reached Batam at 8am too as Indonesia time is one hour behind Singapore time.

Coastal protection at Batam ferry terminal.

Our local tour guide. Learned from him that Batam is a cluster of 329 islands. The plug used in other parts of Indonesia is 2 pins, but in Batam it is 3 pins, similar to Singapore. 

Explored Batam's Pantai Sekoto beachfront area to learn about the mangrove in this area as part of the field study for Geography Symposium 2024. The programme was hosted by a member from Free the Sea – part of the WIK Group and the local volunteers. We looked into the impact of coastal erosion as well as the effects of the loss of this mangrove area. 

The local outreach and education programme get the locals to be aware of the damage of the mangrove ecosystem and the mangrove restoration as well as replanting programme. 

Drag on the screen for a 360 view

You can click on the menu at the bottom to access the 360 degree photos. Similar to the 360 videos, you can drag on the screen for a 360 view.

Learned so much on the efforts to reforest the mangrove from the local community and representative from Free the Sea

There are plans to develop ecotourism here. 

The President planted 3 young plants here

The nursery which the young plants are kept for 3 months. Some of the young mangrove plants will be sold for reforestation or afforestation projects in other parts of Batam. 

Knee-like roots of Bruguiera exposed

Mud lobster mound

Group photo with the volunteers and Wati (extreme left) from Free the Sea

More on the mangrove visit here

https://mangrovegeog.blogspot.com/2024/11/2024-batam-wisata-alam-mangrove-padang.html

After lunch, we visited the Free the Sea office in Panbil Industrial Estate to learn about the Plastic Recycling work that they do.

Free the Sea is a social enterprise which recyles plastic.

What Free the Sea does: 

Preventing ocean plastic

22 collection points in Batam with contributions from individuals as well as 17 companies and hotels donation programme.

Source: Free the sea instagram

Challenges on expanding the programme: Some hotels are not willing to segregate the plastic waste or donate the waste as some have already sold the waste to someone. 

For their collection partners, incentives such as paying higher than market rate for every kg of waste given.

Transforming waste

Recycling collected plastic waste is transformed into FTS recycled materials at the recycling facility

Upcycling material recovery facility repurpise waste, giving it a new life. 

Empowering communities, regenerating nature

Scholarship were given as well as vouchers for necessities such as rice and oil were given.

The company organised clean up (300 volunteers) and health check up for 200 ( informal sector )

Social impacts such as support communities with social benefits

Environmental impacts such as organization of clean up events to raise awareness and lead restoration projects.

Education programme provides necessary skills and foster environmental responsibility

On site monitoring and audits for social and safety compliance.

The government help support capacity building e.g. sponsor Dati's study in Japan on waste management 

Waste product which cannot be recycled will have to go to the regulated landfill e.g. around 10%

42 hectares of land for landfill. Coming up soon incinerator in 2 years working with the Chinese.

Dust collectors. The dust from grinding the plastic was also collected. 

Reuse the water to conserve water resources.

WIK has 1000 workers in Batam. WIK originally manufacture small appliances. Started in 1950 in Germany. It is now based in HK. They started the Free the Sea and plastic recycling in Batam in 2013.

Use of solar energy. Heat generated by die casting used in other processing. 

Free at the seas provided training for workers

Met the team from Free the Sea, including the head of Free the Sea, Bahri Beyhan. He gave us a guided tour of the plastic recyling facility.

Evaluating the ecosystem services from the Mangroves at Pantai Setoko 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z67r99_TiEJgJSI-eWmBo8ryK89Z-rX1/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=117561647208614526159&rtpof=true&sd=true

Discussion and presenting our findings at Harmoni One hotel meeting room.

Thanks to Raymond, our tour coordinator, for the following resources.

Some background information about Free the Sea

https://www.freethesea.com/

WIK Group is the bigger organisation that funds and runs Free the Sea 

https://www.wik-group.com/

Climate action 101

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13YsUH1lIob9vIdfDcCRNOrJfDK7_hsB1/view?usp=drivesdk

Recommendation of similar organisations in Singapore Plastic Recycling in Singapore 

https://www.semula-asia.com/

Sustainable Eduaction such as urban farming https://www.metrofarm.com.sg/sustainable-education/

Ecofield trip to Malaysia by Green Sproutz Singapore.

Source: Green Sproutz Singapore Facebook page

Coastal studies in Sentosa

1. A virtual fieldwork via a video captured by drone on Tanjong Rimau and rocks on the island in a workshop conducted by Sentosa Nature Discovery followed by a walk on Imbiah trail. Saw the Imbiah falls along the way. Thankful that we had a very enriching experience with our guide, Tammy, from SND.

The two programmes which we can embark on in Sentosa for Geography

Differential erosion - conglomerates and sandstones. Did not cross my mind to show the students the different types of rocks to show them that. Time to dig out my old collection! Indeed students can make connection to their learning if they can see it with their own eyes. 

Used to bring the students for fieldwork at this part of Sentosa in the 90s. Just realized it is called Tanjong Rimau.  The observation of fissures, the notch, the caves on the cliff, and the action of plant roots on weathering. The measurement of the height of the cliff and the gradient of the transect along the shore platform. Had a very good mentor, Alice, back in the 90s.

Stephanie from Pierce Secondary, June, Tammy from SND, myself, Mdm Rahimah, Mdm Tian and Mr Arman

Where the rock beach is - didn't know there are corals too. Used to bring the students to the coralarium which had made way for the golf course. Students love the touch pool and learned more about the fringing reef.

Kapok tree

Kapok fibre from the seeds of the Kapok tree used for e.g. stuffing jackets

Nice trial with information on Forest

Imbiah trial from SND to Siloso Beach

A shelter near Silo Beach

Siloso beach - a study of soft engineering - beach nourishment

floating platform 

sea grass and algae

extremely scorching

rock armour protecting the beach from erosion

seawall protecting the coast

Wave house - an attraction for tourists

A lifeguard  ensuring the beach goers are safe

A tour of Siloso beach by Tammy

Safe to swim!

Actually the waves are quite strong. Look at the swash

Tourists swimming in the near water, a girl building sand castle and some boys playing volley ball.

This was where the old coastline was with the spring water 

A 360 view of Siloso Beach

Below is a 360 photo taken at Sentosa.