By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 10: Biodiversity conservation must continue to be considered in Sarawak’s development planning to ensure economic progress does not come at the expense of the State’s natural heritage.
Deputy Premier and Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said Sarawak must balance its ambition to become an advanced, high-income region by 2030 with its responsibility to protect the environment.
He said sustainable development should be measured not only by economic achievements and physical progress, but also by the ability to manage natural resources responsibly for future generations.
“We want to ensure that the progress we achieve today does not compromise the ability of future generations to enjoy the same natural wealth and resources,” he said in his speech text at the Sarawak-level 2026 National Hornbill Day celebration, which was officiated by Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, at the Sarawak Science Centre today.
Awang Tengah said environmental sustainability was one of the three main pillars under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, alongside economic prosperity and social inclusivity.
He said Sarawak government’s development initiatives were aimed at improving people’s quality of life without compromising environmental protection.
“Sarawak is blessed with vast forest areas and an exceptionally rich diversity of flora and fauna. This natural wealth places a significant responsibility on us to ensure that critical habitats remain protected while strengthening policies and implementation measures for sustainable natural resource management,” he reminded.
He stressed that conservation could not be the responsibility of the government alone, but required stronger collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and local communities.
“Each stakeholder has an important role to play. Government agencies provide the policy and regulatory framework, while research institutions contribute scientific knowledge and expertise.
“The private sector and conservation organisations can support these efforts through partnerships, funding, capacity building and the implementation of conservation initiatives,” he said.
He added that local communities, particularly those living near forests and wildlife habitats, were equally important as their knowledge and experience could contribute significantly to conservation planning and implementation.
Awang Tengah said the National Hornbill Day celebration provided an opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships, establish new cooperation and encourage greater sharing of research findings and best practices.
He also highlighted the importance of scientific research and international collaboration, citing the partnership established in 2017 between Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Thailand’s Hornbill Research Foundation, involving renowned conservationist Professor Dr Pilai Poonswad.
Through initiatives such as the RIMBA Sarawak research programme, the collaboration has strengthened understanding of hornbill species, their breeding patterns, food sources and natural habitats.
He also cited the Important Hornbill Landscapes study published in 2024 and the Malaysian Conservation Conference 2026 as important platforms for identifying and protecting critical habitats.
Sarawak’s participation in the Heart of Borneo initiative involving Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei further demonstrated the importance of regional cooperation in protecting forest ecosystems across national borders.
Awang Tengah said environmental education and public awareness must also be strengthened, particularly among young people, through educational institutions, research activities and practical learning experiences.
“We must also recognise the important role of technology and digital communication in reaching younger generations to share conservation knowledge, promote greater public engagement and encourage more young people to become actively involved in protecting our natural heritage,” he said.
He said the ultimate objective was to nurture a generation that understood environmental issues and was prepared to take responsibility for protecting natural resources.
Sarawak is home to eight hornbill species, all fully protected under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998. The birds play an important ecological role as seed dispersers, contributing to forest regeneration and maintaining tropical forest diversity.
Awang Tengah said protecting hornbills and their habitats was part of the wider responsibility to safeguard the ecological systems that sustained Sarawak’s environment and communities.
He hoped the celebration would translate into sustained conservation action, stronger partnerships and meaningful improvements in biodiversity protection. — DayakDaily
