NICE ANGLE: Taib (fourth left) taking a close look at one of the books at the launching ceremony as (from left) Asfia, Jabu, Ze Meka, Masing, Abang Johari, Yusop and Awang Tengah look on.
KUCHING: International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) is very satisfied with the way forests are managed in Sarawak.
Its executive director Emmanuel Ze Meka praised the state for having good forest management, including its initiative to create sustainable forests.
“ITTO has a framework for sustainable forest management, and Sarawak is applying the rules and regulations that have been established.”
Ze Meka was met after the launching of two books, ‘The Lanjar Entimau Story: Changing Landscape In Biodiversity Coservation’ and ‘Birds of Bario and the Kelabit Highlands’ by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Santapan Hall of the State Legislative Assembly here yesterday.
Ze Meka said the state was among several tropical countries in the world which was very advanced in sustainable forest management.
He pointed out that conservation was a global issue where long term commitment was required to achieve results, but this was also where the difficulties lie.
“In many countries, efforts were not sustained. But Sarawak is able to achieve the results today in sustainable forest management because the projects that we are discussing today were established 20 years ago.”
Ze Meka pointed out that the commitment of the government in this matter would definitely benefit not only the people of Sarawak but also its future generations.
He assured that ITTO would be ever ready to assist the state to redress any issues that would arise in future.
“Within the framework, there are criteria and indicators to help see through sustainable forest management.
“A benchmark has already been set on how to manage the forest. There are auditors to monitor the criteria and indicators to pinpoint where the weaknesses are.”
On the books, Ze Meka said that it played significant roles in educating the public, researchers and, in particular, children.
“They will see what efforts have been made in order to maintain the whole biodiversity and the birds’ population.
“This is important because we are all dependent on the children, the future generation to upkeep the conservation activities for a long time.”
Meanwhile, state Forest director Ali Yusop, who was also present, thanked Sarawak Timber Association (STA), YTS Foundation, KTS Holdings Bhd, Rimbunan Hijau Group and TA Ann Holding Bhd for their support and assistance in producing these two books.
The books, Yusop said, were in recognition of the successful Lanjak Entimau forest conservation project as well as a community programme at Taman Negara Pulong Tau which had become among the best nature conservation projects in the world under ITTO fund.
“This shows the commitment of Sarawak Forest Department in ensuring conservation efforts and activities along with developments.
“We will ensure that forests are being harvested responsibly.”