SRI AMAN: The stance of Sarawak on the conservation of orang-utans has won the applause of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
“The Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem) has indicated as much that orang-utans are vitally important; they are a priority species, so no logging, no plantation. That sets forth the first step in pushing for the fact that orang-utans have to be maintained in perpetuity.
“There is no other country that I know of worldwide that has set that kind of focus. If you look around, you have all
kinds of terrible case examples where animals are being hunted and their habitat destroyed,” WCS director of Malaysia Programme Dr Melvin Gumal told The Borneo Post recently.
He was commenting on Adenan’s statement in an interview by WCS on July 27. During the interview, Adenan had announced that to protect orang-utan habitat and nature, the state government would not issue any more oil palm plantation and logging licences.
“Orang-utan conservation and the whole conservation policy that the state is pushing forth have sent a very strong important signal not just here but also worldwide that great apes which are 95-96 per cent similar to us are important. If we can’t protect our great apes, what other hope do we have in saving other smaller species?”
Gumal who used to be Sarawak Forestry Department staff before leading WCS said more often than not, there was a blind pursuit for development without a thorough understanding of what the consequences were.
“By placing it (conservation of orang-utan) as a priority, it allows for a balance in which greater conservation needs are looked into. Otherwise, we will be like a little frog in a boiling pot where we don’t even know that we are slowly being cooked and on the way to death.
“So for me, this (the state’s effort of conservation) is extremely valuable. Sarawak is making a good stance.”
On Ulu Sungai Menyang Conservation Programme which involves two government agencies – Sarawak Forestry Department (SFD) and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) – WCS and private entity Borneo Adventure, Gumal said it has been a good programme in which the state basically ensures that conservation is a priority.
Hoping to see a successful outcome, he said the programme has ingredients of success
which include the availability of biological indicator, engagement of the local communities and commitment from the state government.
Gumal has personally been involved with the local communities since 1998 and since 2012 is involved in the survey of orang-utans with SFD, SFC and Borneo Adventure.
Meanwhile, Borneo Adventure executive director Robert Basiuk gave positive comments on Sarawak’s conservation programme.
“I think Sarawak’s conservation programme has always been very good. The fact that the new chief minister is re-emphasising it again and stressing it is fantastic. I think he has really provided a good message for the state,” said Basiuk.