KOTA KINABALU: The relevant state agencies and the public have a similar role to play in the preservation and conservation of mangrove forests in Sabah.
FORESTRY EXHIBITION: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, accompanied by Sabah Forestry Director Datuk Sam Mannan, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Aziah Mohamed and Director General of Peninsular Forestry Department Datuk Haji Razani Ujang touring the exhibition booths during the national forestry seminar at 1Borneo in Likas.
Their role is to plan and implement community programs on forestry as well as to continue education program on the natural environment, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said.
Direct involvement of the local community will strengthen efforts and camaraderie among all those involved, especially in conservation of all forest resources in Sabah, he said at the opening of the National Seminar on the Conservation of Coastal Forests 2010, here yesterday.
Musa urged all the agencies involved to continue doubling up their efforts in drawing up programs to increase the focus as well as involvement of the community in becoming partners in a move to protect the state’s natural resources.
“This seminar today (yesterday) is a good indicator towards the increased cooperation between all the related agencies and the involvement of everyone, especially the public in the effort to protect the country’s coastal forests,” he said.
According to Musa, the State Government is always supportive of positive efforts to preserve and conserve the mangrove forests in Sabah to ensure that it can give the best to everyone.
“I believe that with the Federal Government’s support, projects relating to the conservation and preservation of mangrove forests in the country can be implemented successfully,” he said adding that the permanent forest management in Malaysia was among the best compared to the other tropical countries.