KUCHING, Mar 14: Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas states that certain areas of native customary rights (NCR) land have the potential to be utilised in the State’s new economy of carbon trading, while also benefiting NCR landowners.
In a statement issued today, Uggah stated that it could apply to lands with a slope gradient of more than 35 degrees.
He told a press conference after officiating at the third Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) development workshop here that owners of land with such a slope gradient should be encouraged not to practise shifting cultivation.
“When you do shifting cultivation, you will chop down and burn the trees there. But if you leave the land untouched, the trees will grow big after some time.
“And trees will store carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere,” he said.
Uggah continued by saying that Sarawak was actively pursuing this new area of sustainability and business opportunity.
“I’m talking to our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, how our NCR landowners can benefit from this new economy at the same time. I do not have the details for now but this is our suggestion,” he mentioned.
Meanwhile, Layar assemblyman Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, who was present, stated that the Bukit Sadok forest reserve, which spans more than 3,000 hectares, has excellent potential in the carbon trading economy.
“This can be a new income stream for the owners of NCR land there,” Rentap noted.
Uggah, who is also Bukit Saban assemblyman, had earlier in his speech asked BDDA committee members (from Layar, Saribas, Krian, Kalaka, Beting Maro, Lingga, and Kabong) and Betong MP to look at potential areas including forest areas, NCR and non NCR lands that could be developed into carbon storage areas.
Regarding the workshop, he stated that it was to refine BDDA projects that could be implemented this year.
“We have shortlisted an initial total of 69 costing RM740 million which we hope to begin implementing soon.
“For the rest, we are working out a list to ensure that we can implement them within the next two to three years so that we can spend the RM1.5 billion allocation given to us,” he explained.
BDDA chief executive officer Abang Muhammad Turkey and Betong Division Resident Richard Micheal Abunawas were among those present. — DayakDaily
