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Close to the Equator, and with a high rainfall year-round,
Sarawak has an ideal climate for flora and fauna to
flourish. Thus, it has amongst the highest per unit
area in the world. Sarawak has about 185 species of
mammals (Payne et al, 1985), 530 species of
birds (Mackinnon and Phillips, 1983), 166
species of snakes, 104 of lizards and 113 of amphibians (Anon,
1985).
A large proportion of Sarawak’s animals are
unique to Borneo and do not occur in mainland South-east
Asia. These include approximately 19% of the mammals,
6% of the birds, 20% of the snakes and 32% of the lizards;
and these species are largely found in Totally Protected
Areas. The vascular flora of Sarawak comprises more
than 8,000 species. Over 2,000 tree species have been
enumerated whereas orchid would number more than 1000
species, ferns account for 757 species and palm make
up another 260 species.
It is an undeniable fact that much of Sarawak’s
endangered species is under threat of disappearing
forever to extinction and this degeneration must be
redressed. To conserve all species and habitats in
perpetuity, Sarawak has adopted the International Union
for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recommended action
that at least 10 per cent of its land area should be
in totally protected areas.
In 1996, the Sarawak Government
commissioned a Master Plan for Wildlife, which comprised
a strategy to balance wildlife conservation with development
in the State. Following its recommendations, the Government
passed a new law, the Wild Life Protection Ordinance
1998, which banned all commercial sales of wildlife
and wildlife products taken from the wild. It recognised
that rural communities depend on wild meat and thus
did not ban hunting. The new law was strictly enforced
in urban areas followed by a widespread publicity and
education campaign. Under this Ordinance, some of Sarawaks’ wildlife
which are endangered or rare are categorised as Totally
Protected and Protected Animals. Sarawak has also implemented
the total ban or trade of wildlife.
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