‘Illegal-logging war meant to protect state’s natural resources’

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MIRI: Efforts to combat illegal logging activities formed part of the government’s aim to create 1.11 million hectares (ha) of totally protected areas (TPA) in the state.

Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan yesterday said TPA now spanned 831,824 ha, and it would be expanded by another 279,593 ha.

As an example of the state’s government commitment in conserving its natural resources, a timber licence in Menyang near Lanjak Entimau was revoked two years ago when news got around that there were orangutans there.

“The area was later added to the adjacent wildlife sanctuary,” he said at a Sarawak Forest Corporation (SFC) ceremony to appoint 40 honorary wildlife rangers here yesterday.

Awang Tengah said Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) was very much in the conservation picture, too.

SBC had built a database of traditional knowledge on the flora and fauna of the state, including those with pharmaceutical and cosmetic product development potentials, he added.

On the honorary wildlife rangers, Awang Tengah said they represented another step to protect the state’s vast biodiversity.

“They are our eyes and ears in our conservation initiatives.”

SFC has appointed 294 honorary wildlife rangers, and it planned to re-appoint 346 under this programme.