Miri, Saturday, 3 July 2010 - Sarawak Forestry Corporation today launched a community program aimed at co-managing the protected areas such as the national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves through active public participation.  Speaking during the Closing Ceremony for the Honorary Wildlife Ranger Workshop of Miri Region, Datuk Aidan Wing, ADUN N.62, Lambir said, “The participants of this workshop have made the right decision as they are directly assisting the Government in protecting our priceless treasure of nature, especially in Miri.”  He added, the efforts support the Government’s initiative in promoting the community and the public in Sarawak to directly involve in conservation and protection of flora and fauna in the State.

He reminded that Miri has many unique features that have attracted foreign tourists and it would assist in generating additional revenue to the Sarawak State.  He said, “As the people of Miri, we should be proud with the priceless heritage bestowed upon us and it is our responsibility to ensure that these unique treasures are protected for us today and for our future generations.” 

Aidan Wing praised Sarawak Forestry Corporation’s effort in enhancing the Honorary Wildlife Ranger program by introducing a new approach to ensure the objective and needs are more relevant and up to date.

Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Resource Management said within the 9th Malaysia Plan, the Sarawak Government has been entrusted to manage and update the Totally Protected Areas, with the total area of 12 million hectares, which have been globally recognised for the wealth in biodiversity.  The implementation of the 9th Malaysia Plan includes the Honorary Wildlife Ranger program, which has been established since 1998.

Len Talif said, ”Since 2003, Sarawak Forestry Corporation has introduced the Honorary Wildlife Ranger program, in line with the agency’s vision and mission in promoting public involvement in the program.”  He added that the Honorary Wildlife Rangers act as agents in sustaining and conserving the wildlife in Sarawak.  Sarawak Forestry Corporation will also organise series of training programs for the Honorary Wildlife Rangers to sharpen their knowledge in wildlife conservation.

The Wild Life Protection Ordinance becomes the main reference in conserving, managing and protecting the wildlife in Sarawak.   The program also encourages public involvement in managing dan protecting the wildlife surrounding them.  According to Len Talif, ”the appointment of Honorary Wildlife Ranger is valid for a certain duration and subject to the rules and conditions prescribed in the appointment certificate.  The appointment carries a huge responsibility with the aim of assisting the Government in conserving and protecting the wildlife in Sarawak.”

Len Talif added, ”I hope the Rangers that will and have been appointed could assist to spread awareness among the surrounding public about the importance of protecting and conserving the wildlife.” 

Sarawak Forestry Corporation plans to introduce the program in the North Sarawak by the end of 9th Malaysia Plan.  The targetted areas include the Miri Region and Lawas District.  This will give the opportunity to the people around Miri and Lawas to be involved in protecting and conserving the wildlife in Miri and Lawas, in particular, and in Sarawak, in general.

The Honorary Wildlife Ranger has been established since 1998, aimed at involving the local community to volunteer in collaborating with the responsible agencies in mitigating issues pertaining to the wildlife.  The program aims at mitigating from the root issues of wildlife protection and develop comprehensive awareness and appreciation among the general public.

From 2006 to 2009, a total of 417 Honorary Wildlife Rangers have been appointed, and up to the end of this year, a total of 114 more rangers are expected to be appointed.  All of them are from the Southern Sarawak including Kuching, Padawan, Lundu, Bau, Sri Aman, Betong, Mukah and Anap-Muput in Bintulu.