Good response to second Heart of Borneo NTFP Carnival

KUCHING: The second edition of the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Sarawak Non-Timber Forest Products ( NTFP) Carnival is being held at Kuching Waterfront from now until Oct 30.

The carnival, an initiative of the Sarawak Forest Department, is one of the activities planned for the Human Capital Development Programme: Improvement of Standard of Living and Quality of Life of HoB Community Project under the 11th Malaysia Plan.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said last year’s NTFP carnival received encouraging response from the public with total sales of RM73,156.10.

He pointed out that for this year, response has been equally encouraging as the number of participants has increased to 115 from 76 last year.

“A total of 38 exhibition booths have been set up at this year’s carnival involving the sale of food products such as ‘ garam bukit’, rice, stingless bee honey, cinnamon as well as products made of ‘kulit kayu’ such as paintings, hats, clothing, key chains, herbs and many more.

“Apart from that, there are also many attractive activities such as karaoke, colouring competition, potpourri demonstration as well as performances from buskers and famous local artistes,” he said at the HoB Sarawak NTFP Carnival officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at Kuching Waterfront here yesterday.

Awang Tengah, who is also Second Urban Development and Natural Resources Minister, also noted that apart from the carnival, several programmes related to the HoB community have been carried out throughout the year for community development and eco-tourism.

He said the Sarawak Forest Department through its Social Forests Division had taken steps in relation to herbs and medicinal plants among the community with the concept of ‘One Project, One Division’.

“These programmes will indirectly give side job opportunities to the community particularly those under HoB areas.

“We hope that this carnival will increase the sales of the community and help promote NTFP produced by the community themselves,” he said.