‘S’wak all out for bio-scientific studies’
Conservation of biodiversity will remain Sarawak’s top priority as it strives to become a developed state by 2030, with high income and better quality of life.
Speaking at the launching of Tama Abu Scientific Expedition 2017 at Imperial Hotel here on Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the state government is very committed in taking a balanced approach towards development.
“To further strengthen our commitment, we have instituted an open- door policy for scientific studies to be carried out in the biodiversity-rich areas of Sarawak.”
Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources, said Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, being one of the world’s mega biodiversity countries is blessed with biodiversity as a result of its unique ecology and biogeography.
“Our biodiversity is among the richest in the region, but we still know very little about it, like how many plant and animal species are found and distributed as well as their ecological characteristics.
“Our biodiversity is also our gene bank with immense potential for the development of food and pharmaceutical and health industries, awaiting research and discoveries where our present and future generations of scientists can play a role.”
Awang Tengah’s text of speech was read by Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh.
The deputy chief minister also said the state government is aware that continuing economic development would invariably affect the environment, the forest, biodiversity and the people’s livelihood.
Thus, it is for this reason, he added, that one million hectares of natural forest had been set aside as Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) as a safeguard and also for the future generations to benefit from and enjoy.
In view of that, he agreed that the younger generations should always improve existing efforts in changing the people’s attitude and behaviour towards the environment and be able to take active roles in influencing the communities’ perceptions on designing, assessing and implementing ‘green lifestyle’, while strengthening local traditional wisdom to preserve biodiversity.
“This rich biodiversity should be safeguarded for our future generations as a valuable resource for the country’s sustainable development.
“This is one area where scientific expedition can contribute by documenting resources and their uses from the local communities for example and disclose the discoveries in scientific reports and papers.”
He strongly felt that academics and researchers should come up with ways to find the kind of research that Sarawak needs to push the state forward.
“We cannot rely on our current research and technology while hoping to move forward onto the level of other highly developed countries in terms of biodiversity conservation but rather seek those countries for knowledge exchanges to overcome our shortcomings or weaknesses.
“The data from the research can be used to plan a strategy for conservation of flora and fauna in the state. The information on the species being studied can help with the utilisation of species for economic and social development growth such as Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP).”
He also encouraged the younger generation, ecologists, botanists and biologists to conduct high-impact scientific expeditions.
Touching on the Tama Abu Scientific Expedition, Awang Tengah hoped that the participants comprising senior scientists and researchers as well as young aspiring scientists, to fully use the expedition as a learning experience.
The expedition, he said, indirectly provides an excellent platform for senior scientists and researchers to train and guide the young scientists and share their knowledge with them in conducting research, data analysis and report writing.