Len Talif signs the plaque during the handing-over of the Forest Gallery to SK Abang Haji Matahir, as Hamden (second right), Christopher (third left), Hishamuddin (second left) and others look on.
SARIKEI: The Sarawak Forest Department has been commended for embarking on various programmes to raise awareness on and instil a sense of responsibility of the importance of the state’s forests.
Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh said he was glad to note that the department has chosen schools in the district as venues for such projects as it provides students with valuable information and references on Sarawak’s tropical rainforests.
“Among the projects initiated by the Forest Department are an environmental gallery at SK Adin, orchid and herbs greenhouse at SK St Andrew, as well as a botanical garden and jungle trekking trail in schools in other parts of the state,” he said yesterday.
Len Talif, who earlier handed-over the department’s Forest Gallery project at SK Abang Haji Matahir here to the school’s management, said such project
are not to only benefit students of the host school, but those from other schools in the district as well.
Meanwhile, state Forest director Hamden Mohammad said the gallery would exhibit pictures of tropical rainforest, forest restoration activities, protected species and non-timber forest products (handicrafts), as well as replica of caves, waterfalls, and other gifts of nature.
He also took the opportunity to thank private companies MM Golden (M) Sdn Bhd and WTK Group of Companies for contributing building materials and workmanship for the project, adding the exhibition materials were provided by the Forest Department.
Among those present at the handing-over were Sarikei District Officer Christopher Ranggau and SK Abang Haji Matahir headmaster Hishamuddin Gimin.