By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, March 29: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) is actively involved in the Rewilding Project, with work already underway in Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary, Piasau Nature Reserve, and Sama Jaya Nature Reserve, says SFC chief executive officer (CEO) Zolkipli Mohamad Aton.
In his speech today at the Malaysian Conservation Conference 2022 (MCC 2022), he said the Rewilding Project is in line with Sarawak’s target of reforesting the State with 35 million trees.
“SFC is actively working on our Rewilding Project in at least 12 Totally Protected Areas (TPAs), ranging from the Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary in Lundu to the Similajau National Park in Bintulu and, further north, the Limbang Mangrove National Park.
“Mangroves, peat swamps, and dipterocarp forests are among the forests in need of rewilding, and an estimated 3.2 to 3.5 million trees are required to ensure the project’s success,” he revealed.
MCC 2022 which was held for the first time in Sarawak, aims to emphasise the importance of conservation and environmental sustainability.
The conference was officiated at by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Imperial Hotel here today.
MCC 2022 is organised by SFC in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan), Sabah Parks, and the Sabah Wildlife Department.
The conference themed “New Frontier in Conservation: Past, Present, and Future” aims to bring together experts from a variety of fields to discuss environmental issues, according to Zolkipli.
“MCC provides a broad and open forum for us to delve into critical conservation issues, while at the same time, this group of “think tanks” will identify solutions to the problems and challenges plaguing our environment today.
“The conference’s final outcome will be shared with policymakers for the purpose of improving and then applying best practices to drive our next conservation direction,” he added.
The conference drew 300 delegates from all over the world, including conservationists and field scientists, wildlife authorities, park managers, and academics.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development Datu Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Perhilitan director-general Dato Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, Sabah Wildlife Department’s Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre manager Sylvia Alsisto, and Sabah Parks’ principal assistant director (Management and Operation Division) Maipol Spait. — DayakDaily
