By Jacob Achoi
KUCHING, Oct 17: Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong has urged the local communities to support Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC)’s conservation effort by sharing their traditional knowledge on plants and herbs.
He said such sharing was vital to exploit the potentials of the various plants or herbs for various applications.
“Our communities must be conservation and sustainable empowered so that they too can play an important role in the conservation and sustainable use of these biological resources.
“So I would like to urge our people to continuously support SBC to share their traditional knowledge,” Manyin said today when officiating at Benefit Sharing Agreement (BSA) at Kpg Emperoh Semedang along Jalan Borneo Heights today.
The BSA was signed by the Bidayuh community from Kpg Emperoh Semedang and Iban community from Rumah Simon from Lubok Antu for the development of AdenoSara, a type of wild herb.
Present was State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, who is also Sarawak Biodiversity Council chairman.
Manyin also said it was also very important that SBC continue to tap into the state’s rich biodiversity and
rich traditional knowledge of the various ethnic communities through innovation and discovery of new products.
“This is to ensure our communities enjoy benefits from the utilisation of their knowledge,” he pointed out.
He believed through the strong dedication demonstrated by the scientists and greater participation of the indigenous communities, the state will be able to tap into health and wellness sector through innovative solutions from nature.
According to him, based on the global wellness institute 2018 data, the global wellness economy was valued at RM4.5 trillion, adding that the industry grew by 6.4 per cent annually from 2015 to 2017.
He added that the global health and wellness sector has grown significantly in recent years and predicted to grow steadily of over six per cent in 2020 to 2024.
Meanwhile, Jaul said SBC had so far documented 311 plants including five plants with potential research and market value.
Present were Sarawak Biodiversity Centre chief executive officer Dr Yeo Tiong Chia and village chiefs Austin Mapus of Kpg Emperoh Semedang and Simon Kiai of Rumah Simon.— DayakDaily
