AGREEING TO COLLABORATE: Aisah (centre) exchanging collaboration agreement with Oswald (right) while Marconi looks on.
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Berhad has signed an agreement with Sarawak Forestry Corporation Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Forestry) for a Wildlife Monitoring and Rescue (WiMoR) operation to conserve wildlife, flora and fauna within Murum Hydroelectric Project (HEP) area.
Under the agreement, WiMoR’s initiative will be led and managed by Sarawak Energy’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) team, and Sarawak Forestry undertake the wildlife monitoring and rescue operation for two years.
A reconnaissance survey of protected species and medicinal plants was done in December last year by the Flora Component Team, while the stream survey along the river was done early this month by the Fish Component Team.
The Fauna Component Team has started preparations and strategised for rescue missions.
Based on the WiMor Plan, over 230 species of trees were recorded from 28 sampling plots established along Sg Murum, Sg Plieran and Sg Danum.
Some plants are listed as Totally Protected and Protected Species under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1988 such as Dipterocarpus oblongifolius or locally known as Ensurai.
WiMoR manages biodiversity issues such as loss of habitat, fish migration barriers, loss of spawning ground, loss of habitat connectivity, loss or decline in important food chain species, loss of wetlands, poaching, hunting or over-exploitation of significant species.
WiMoR operations is undertaken in respect of preparation of the Murum reservoir and includes habitat suitability assessment for animals, phenology monitoring for plants and constructing suitable aquatic fauna holding facilities.
Activities will focus on monitoring and rescuing animals, plants and fauna at various stages of the reservoir’s preparation and relocating them into pre-assessed suitable locations.
Signing for Sarawak Energy were Corporate Services (CCS) chief Aisah Eden and Corporate Risk & HSE general manager Marconi Madai.
Representing Sarawak Forestry were deputy general manager of Protected Areas and Biodiversity Conservation, Oswald Braken Tisen and deputy general manager of Applied Forests Science and Industry Development, Lucy Chong.
“Sarawak Energy is committed to ensuring that WiMoR operations will be implemented in accordance with EIA approval conditions for Murum HEP under the Protection of Biological Resources. We ensure the operations are planned and implemented systematically and responsibly for the sustainability of our rich biodiversity,” said Aisah.
The operation will see the concerted effort of 150 people. Personnel from Sarawak Energy and SFC are involved in WiMoR as is the local community, especially Penans, in monitoring and rescue missions.
“With thorough planning, good teamwork and joint expertise, the success of this WiMoR programme should be a model for future projects,” she said after the signing at Menara Sarawak Energy yesterday.