by Amanda L
KUCHING, Feb 10: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) has unveiled a digital application enabling the public to explore and identify more than 500 orchid species in Sarawak, in a bid to boost awareness of the State’s rich biodiversity.
Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Natural Resources, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, said the application covers both wild and cultivated orchids, providing an accessible platform for enthusiasts, students, and the general public.
“With this free app, people can discover and learn about the orchids around them, which is the first step towards conserving them,” he said.
He said this to reporters after the SFC Digital & Green Initiatives event at SFC office, today.
Len also highlighted the importance of knowledge in fostering appreciation for nature, saying that awareness is the first step towards wonder, respect, and ultimately conservation.
“As the saying goes, ‘tak kenal maka tak cinta’. If we do not know, we cannot love.
“By identifying these species, the public can better understand and protect them for the future,” he added.
He also mentioned parallel efforts by the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS), which recently launched a digital application to identify timber species across the State.
“Unlike the orchid app, this tool uses wood anatomy techniques to classify different types of timber, demonstrating a complementary digital approach to documenting Sarawak’s biodiversity,” he said.
He noted that in the future, similar applications could be expanded to cover other plant groups and flowering species, further engaging the public in environmental awareness and conservation.
The event also saw the handover of five electric bicycles from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to support field operations in national parks and other conservation areas. — DayakDaily
