By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 24: A Sarawak technical committee convened at the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Tsukuba, Japan on Wednesday (April 23) to review a series of research findings and scientific data, marking a significant stride in evidence-based policy support for Sarawak’s forest governance.
According to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, the session, part of the ongoing bilateral collaboration between the Sarawak government—via the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS)—and NIES, underscores the State’s strategic shift toward science-led environmental stewardship.
Chaired by Sarawak Forests director Datu Hamden Mohammad, the meeting brought together a multidisciplinary team of experts spanning forestry, geospatial science, forest engineering, technology, legislation, and research.
The committee examined key scientific data presented by NIES researchers, aimed at supporting Sarawak’s efforts in building a resilient green economy and ensuring sustainable forest management under the vision of the Premier of Sarawak.
Nine senior research associates and consultants from NIES, led by Dr Yayoi Takeuchi, presented findings that will guide innovative strategies in forest governance and the application of emerging technologies in Sarawak’s forestry sector.
“FDS, which prioritises proactive governance, will continue to ensure that policy development is guided by cutting-edge research and robust data,” said Hamden, reaffirming the department’s science-driven approach.
The formal partnership between Sarawak and NIES was initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Dec 1, 2023, in Tsukuba, and further solidified by a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on Jan 31, 2024, in Kuching. Through this agreement, NIES was appointed as an official consultant to the Sarawak government.
In 2024, as part of its commitment to this collaboration, NIES facilitated a series of capacity-building programmes for Sarawak civil servants and industry stakeholders.
These programmes focused on advanced forestry technologies including tree DNA analysis and forest modelling using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), crucial tools for monitoring Sarawak’s extensive forested area of 7.62 million hectares—the largest in Malaysia.
During the visit, delegates from FDS, the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), and the Sarawak Timber Association (STA) also toured NIES’s cutting-edge research facilities.
Their itinerary included inspections of the flux chamber system, satellite observation tools for greenhouse gas monitoring, and cell preservation technologies for endangered species.
This ongoing collaboration highlights the shared commitment of Sarawak and Japan to leveraging scientific knowledge and innovation to strengthen environmental sustainability, forest conservation, and regional climate resilience. — DayakDaily
