KUCHING, March 20: As part of a Community River Enrichment Programme (CREP) by Sarawak Energy and Sarawak Agriculture Department, 3,000 fish fry of the prized ikan tengadak species, were released into Sungai Pulang and Sungai Entalawan on March 8.
The endeavour is expected to benefit nearly 100 households comprising about 1,000 residents downstream of the Baleh hydroelectric project in Kapit Division.
According to a media release today, this programme is part of Sarawak Energy’s ongoing Sustainable Livelihood Programme efforts which benefit residents from Baleh’s Rumah Kalat Likong, Rumah Jack Sibat, and Rumah Samon Chepau.
The release of fish fry is part of the Tagang System Project, a community-driven river conservation effort launched in 2023, to enhance the area’s fishery resources by promoting sustainable fisheries, biodiversity conservation and enrichment.
Aligned with Sarawak Energy’s social investment initiatives, the fishing system aims to raise economic independence for the people of the area by providing an alternative enhanced source of income through sales of fish supply and potential eco-tourism activities, with Murum being the first of such community partnerships.
Sarawak Energy, through its Baleh Social Development Committee, is collaborating with the Department of Agriculture Sarawak and the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak to provide training and equip the communities with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage their respective Tagang Systems and other initiatives such as fishpond culture, agriculture and livestock farming while also exploring agritourism activities.
Residents from the three longhouses have undergone comprehensive training on the Tagang System, crop farming, and poultry farming to ensure the success of these initiatives.
“We believe that by working with the beneficiary communities to develop projects such as this initiative to release fish fry into Sungai Pulang and Sungai Entalawan, it reflects a consultative process that promotes sustainable agricultural development for the local communitiesin Baleh while also contributing to our environmental conservation efforts,” said Sharina Bohari, Sarawak Energy’s Senior Manager for Project Services at the programme’s officiating events for Rumah Kalat Likong, Rumah Jack Sibat and Rumah Samon Chepau.
The community’s active involvement in conducting routine fish stock assessments and overseeing the controlled fishing system also underscores the joint dedication to preserving the riverine ecosystem.
“The communities’ sense of ownership and their capacity to independently operate and manage the Tagang System can serve as a role model to encourage other communities in the Baleh area to implement similar biodiversity conversation efforts,” she added.
Baleh Hydroelectric Project (HEP) general manager Tan Hang Kiak reaffirmed Sarawak Energy’s commitment to working closely with various agencies and the community to enhance their socio-economic development.
“The Baleh HEP team will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture and the community of Baleh on this sustainable livelihood programme to deliver positive social and environmental impact for the communities,” he said. — DayakDaily
