KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry (NRE) is studying the need to amend existing acts or create new laws on biodiversity and wildlife protection in the country.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said at present only the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) is entrusted to protect and preserve the welfare of wildlife.
“Most people want to protect wildlife from being killed, but no one is looking at it from the aspect of ecosystem threat and food chain of the wildlife affected by exploration and various factors such as the endangered tigers.
“We are looking at how the law can be enforced to protect the ecosystem of the wildlife and if it is necessary to set up a special biodiversity law, we will work with state governments to implement it,” he told a news conference after officiating the 2015 MyBiroD seminar here yesterday.
Also present were NRE deputy secretary general Datuk Seri Dr Azimuddin Bahari and NRE Forestry and Biodiversity Management division secretary Dr Megat Sany Megan Ahmad Supian.
Meanwhile in his speech, Wan Junaidi said in line with the requirements of current biodiversity managment, his ministry had updated the 1998 National Biodiversity Policy that would be implemented with 10 years.
“This policy will start from next year until 2025 and will be finalised soon.
“Among the new elements being updated included 17 biodiversity targets with 57 actions to be implemented jointly by all stakeholders and identify relevant implementing agencies to protect the interests of national biodiversity,” he said.
He said NRE had also created the Natural Conservation Trust Fund for Natural Resources (NCTF) to receive funding allocations for research, development management, biodiversity protection and adaptation to climate change, increased awareness and conservation efforts.
“An initial grant of RM10 million has been launched and is open for the first phase of application from last November 18 and will end on January 31 2016.
“In this case, government agencies and community-based communities and public organisations can apply for NCTF funding that will give focus to natural resources, environmental research and development,” he said. —Bernama