(Sibu, 14th) The Sarawak government continues to strengthen its environmental protection efforts by promoting active participation from various communities through the "Honorary Wildlife Ranger" (HWR) program and the "Ecological Fiscal Transfer" (EFT) for biodiversity conservation, injecting new momentum into sustainable ecological development.
A three-day environmental awareness event was recently held at the community hall in Rajang Village. Participants came from various villages, including Gerigat, Saralon, Rajang, Jeli, Belawai, Simunjan, and Sibuyan, encompassing multiple ethnic groups such as the Iban, Malay, Melanau, and Chinese communities.
Deputy Minister of Sarawak Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, stated during the closing ceremony that the program is a crucial initiative by the Sarawak government, aimed at mobilizing local leaders and the public to become the government's "eyes and ears," collectively safeguarding wildlife resources from illegal exploitation.
"This is not just environmental education; it is about enabling people to actively participate and become gatekeepers of ecological protection," he stated.
During the event, community members received training on flora and fauna protected under the "Wildlife Protection Ordinance," participated in specialized courses led by experts, and underwent final understanding tests to assess the effectiveness of the training.
Datuk Len Talif Salleh, who is also the State Assemblyman for Kuala Rajang, pointed out that to date, there are already 2,309 honorary wildlife rangers in Sarawak. He encourages more young people to join the program to inject new vigor into biodiversity conservation.
According to the Sarawak Forest Department, over 200 species of local organisms, including 73 bird species and 117 plant species, have been recorded in the Rajang area through the EFT program. This data has been incorporated into the Sarawak Forest Department's "Electronic Biodiversity Platform," which will be expanded into the "Wildlife Guardian" system, serving as an extension of the "Crocodile Watch" application.
Sarawak Forest Department General Manager Abang Arabi noted that related communities are also actively involved in the reforestation of degraded mangrove areas, expressing hope that the community will not just be bystanders but practitioners as well. Only with full community involvement can true environmental awareness and responsibility be established.
This environmental initiative also aligns with Sarawak's "Post-2030 Development Strategy," emphasizing the importance of technology application and sustainable development in the state's progress.
The event was attended by Sarawak Forest Department Sibu Regional Manager Lily S, various departmental officials, community leaders, and representatives from related government and non-governmental organizations, showcasing a commitment to cross-sector collaboration in safeguarding the ecosystem.
A three-day environmental awareness event was recently held at the community hall in Rajang Village. Participants came from various villages, including Gerigat, Saralon, Rajang, Jeli, Belawai, Simunjan, and Sibuyan, encompassing multiple ethnic groups such as the Iban, Malay, Melanau, and Chinese communities.
Deputy Minister of Sarawak Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, stated during the closing ceremony that the program is a crucial initiative by the Sarawak government, aimed at mobilizing local leaders and the public to become the government's "eyes and ears," collectively safeguarding wildlife resources from illegal exploitation.
"This is not just environmental education; it is about enabling people to actively participate and become gatekeepers of ecological protection," he stated.
During the event, community members received training on flora and fauna protected under the "Wildlife Protection Ordinance," participated in specialized courses led by experts, and underwent final understanding tests to assess the effectiveness of the training.
Datuk Len Talif Salleh, who is also the State Assemblyman for Kuala Rajang, pointed out that to date, there are already 2,309 honorary wildlife rangers in Sarawak. He encourages more young people to join the program to inject new vigor into biodiversity conservation.
According to the Sarawak Forest Department, over 200 species of local organisms, including 73 bird species and 117 plant species, have been recorded in the Rajang area through the EFT program. This data has been incorporated into the Sarawak Forest Department's "Electronic Biodiversity Platform," which will be expanded into the "Wildlife Guardian" system, serving as an extension of the "Crocodile Watch" application.
Sarawak Forest Department General Manager Abang Arabi noted that related communities are also actively involved in the reforestation of degraded mangrove areas, expressing hope that the community will not just be bystanders but practitioners as well. Only with full community involvement can true environmental awareness and responsibility be established.
This environmental initiative also aligns with Sarawak's "Post-2030 Development Strategy," emphasizing the importance of technology application and sustainable development in the state's progress.
The event was attended by Sarawak Forest Department Sibu Regional Manager Lily S, various departmental officials, community leaders, and representatives from related government and non-governmental organizations, showcasing a commitment to cross-sector collaboration in safeguarding the ecosystem.