By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 12: Ba’ Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian has urged the Sarawak government to ensure that the voices of native customary rights (NCR) holders are heard and their rights protected in any conservation measure under the Natural Resources and Environment Bill, 2024.
During his debate on the Bill in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly here today, Baru highlighted a key concern regarding Section 23, which pertains to the gazetting of conservation areas.
This provision allows for the designation of both alienated and unalienated lands as conservation areas—a critical move for the protection of Sarawak’s environment.
However, Baru cautioned that the government must consider the significant presence of NCR holders in these areas.
“Our indigenous communities have lived on and cared for these lands for centuries. They have an intrinsic connection to the land, forests, and rivers that sustain them. Their lives and livelihoods are intertwined with these resources,” he said when debating the Bill in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting today.
As Sarawak moves forward with this Bill, Baru stressed the importance of ensuring that NCR lands are not negatively impacted by conservation efforts.
He argued that the recognition of NCR must not be overlooked or diminished in the process of establishing conservation areas.
“Rather, we should find ways to protect and uphold these rights, ensuring that the indigenous people of Sarawak are partners in the conservation process, not excluded or deprived of their rights,” he added.
In his remarks, Baru proposed that the government take proactive steps to engage with NCR landowners and communities, emphasising that conservation measures must be inclusive and equitable.
These efforts must balance the need for environmental protection with the rights and needs of those who have traditionally relied on the land, he said.
He reminded the august House that conservation should not be a tool for disenfranchising indigenous communities, but instead be an opportunity to foster partnerships between the government and local communities, encouraging sustainable land management practices that benefit the environment and the people who have always cared for it.
“I wholeheartedly support the Bill, as it represents a significant step toward preserving our natural heritage for future generations. Let us work together to ensure that conservation efforts protect not only our environment, but also the livelihoods and cultural practices of the indigenous people in Sarawak,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
