State opens its wildlife sanctuaries and national parks to international collaboration on conservation
Adenan (centre) getting ready to press a button to symbolically launch the ‘Rimba Sarawak’ initiative. Looking on are (from left) Masing, Jabu, Wong, Yusoff and Awang Tengah. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Sarawak should have an open policy when it comes to biodiversity conservation, especially now when the government is moving towards improving account ability and transparency in forest management.
As such, foreign researchers and scientists are welcomed to conduct their studies on the state’s wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said.
He wondered why in the past the government restricted the entry of visitors to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
Labelling such policy as absurd, he pointed out that the setting up of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries was not only to preserve or conserve the state’s flora and fauna but also to ensure that Sarawak’s wealth of biodiversity would benefit all.
“Foreign visitors and scientists are welcome to these areas (the state’s Totally Protected Areas) to do some research. We will issue Research Permit but most importantly, don’t get your findings patented and forget about us. Don’t take away our rights. We all should share the benefit from your researches,” Adenan said when officiating at the launching of Rimba Sarawak (Research for Intensified Management of Bio-Rich Areas of Sarawak) here yesterday.
Initiated by Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), this scientific research and development initiative will provide a platform for international collaborative research and developing intensive, practical conservation management procedures for biorich areas.
Adenan reminded the research permit issuing authorities – the Chief Minister’s Office, State Secretary’s Office, Forest Department and SFC – to give the permit wisely and not simply grant permission to anybody to ensure that “bio-prospectors” or commercial collectors were not brought in to gain quick wealth from the state’s rich biodiversity.
Commenting on Rimba Sarawak, he said it would open up collaboration between foreign experts and local researchers for mutual benefit.
On a related note, the chief minister called on foreign nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) to work together with the state and help the government to improve its forest preservation and conservation effort.
To underline the state’s seriousness and commitment to the ideals of biodiversity conservation, he announced the government had set up a Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund, which was proposed by SFC to receive tax-exempt donations from individuals, institutions or other entities for the purpose of carrying out research, development , management and protection in relation to wildlife conservation.
Adenan also touched on his administration’s fight against illegal logging.
He said some of the measures taken by the state government to improve forestry governance included the enactment of Forests Ordinance, moratorium on new timber licences and oil palm plantations including its tough stand on illegal logging and corruption.
He said he had called on the ‘big six’ timber companies in the state – namely Samling, RH, Shin Yang, Ta Ann, WTK and KTS – to protect the state’s water catchment areas.
“We have high hopes that we would be successful in preserving and appreciating our natural resources and forests,” he continued.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, SFC chairman Datu Dr Yusoff Hanifah, SFC chief executive officer Wong Ting Chung and state Forest director Sapuan Ahmad.