KUCHING, Sept 9: Environmental non-governmental organisations here hold that the Sarawak government’s Post Covid-19 Exit Economy Strategy 2030 provides Sarawakians a ‘reboot’ opportunity.
In a press statement today, they also expressed hope to participate in the Sarawak government’s Post Covid-19 Exit Economy Strategy 2030 announced in May and to be presented by Economic Action Council this month.
World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) and Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch lauded the government’s foresightedness to steer the state’s economy based on the core principles of digital economy and environmental sustainability.
“The direction to achieve a clean, healthy, and resilient environment for the current and future generations is apt.
“It is our hope that environmental NGOs like ourselves be given the opportunity to contribute to the strategy.
“We aspire that the strategy will see an intensified effort towards sustainable forest management, leading to successful certification for all production forests.
“We look forward to greater recognition for and increased efforts in maintaining ecosystem services and conserve watersheds.
“We call for long-term policies that drive sustainable investments that embrace green technology to reduce carbon footprint,” the two NGOs highlighted in a press statement today.
They also proposed the adoption of good agricultural practices and policies supported by sound and systematic land use management plan.
They stated their stance in advocating for enhanced enforcement and prosecution efforts to curb wildlife trade for better prevention of zoonotic diseases, whilst ensuring Sarawak’s biodiversity continue to thrive in their natural environment.
“To elaborate some of our aspirations, an economic development plan based on the principle of environmental sustainability requires an integrated processes and policies that collectively meet the economic and social needs and at the same time, safeguard our natural environments.”
The NGOs suggested that Sarawak may develop a green workforce, leveraging on the state’s natural assets through sectors that benefit it forests and environment such as forest landscape restoration, good agricultural practices and sustainable infrastructure development.
“This calls for investment in human resources development that support green approaches and technologies, researches and development for sustainable productions and consumptions, and use of nature-based solutions.” — DayakDaily
