AZURA ABAS AND FAIRUZ MOHD SHAHAR New Straits Times 4 Jun 15;
PUTRAJAYA : The National Biodiversity Council has agreed to implement several proposal to conserve and preserve the nature and wildlife in the country.
Among the proposals that the council has taken into consideration include National Tiger Survey project, conservation of the Sumatran rhinoceros and other endangered wildlife species, coastal fishery resources conservation efforts, conserving and preserving edible wild fruits and tackling the conflict issues between human and monkeys.
The National Tiger Survey project has been proposed to be carried out by the Federal Government through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), state government and non-governmental organisations, which is expected to help the government to precisely determine the population and habitat of Malayan tigers.
The council has also agreed with the proposal by Sabah state government that both state and federal governments should work together to stop the extinction of Sumatran rhinoceros or Dicerorhinus Sunatrensis through Advanced Reproductive Technology development and also collaborating with Indonesia.
The Department of Fisheries will work with the state government in implementing the coastal fishery sources conservation programme in the Peninsula, which will involve the river, lake and freshwater.
The council has agreed that the state government in the Peninsula should implement the efforts to conserve and preserve the edible wild fruits in the government forest land.
"These efforts should also be expanded to Sabah and Sawarak as both states have fruit species which are important to the fauna and biodiversity preservation," said the council.
In addressing the issues between humans and monkeys especially in the residential areas, Perhilitan has suggested that there should be an enforcement of the by-laws in prohibiting people from feeding the monkeys, which will soon be implemented by the local councils.
The council was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Also present was National Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.
Conservation a top priority
The Star 5 Jun 15;
PUTRAJAYA: A survey of the tiger population, conservation of the Sumatran rhino and preservation of wild fruit trees are among initiatives aimed at better managing Malaysia’s rich biodiversity.
The Government will also look for ways to reduce conflict between people and monkeys in some areas.
These are part of its commitment to ensure that the people as well as flora and fauna have a rightful place under the Malaysian sun.
These matters and others were discussed during the 2nd National Biodiversity Council meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
The council gave the green light for the First National Tiger Survey to be conducted by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).
With the help of state governments and non-governmental organisations, Perhilitan will identify where exactly the tigers roam and in what numbers.
“This collaboration will allow the authorities to better determine the population and habitat of ‘Harimau Malaya’ to implement the National Tiger Conservation and Action Plan,” the council said in a statement.
Several suggestions were also presented on how to deal with the conflict between people and wild monkeys.
Perhilitan suggested that a by-law to forbid people from feeding the animals be enforced.
It was also suggested that the federal and state governments work together on any plans to develop new land areas to minimise the impact on monkey habitats.
As for the rhinos, the council agreed that the Sabah government would use advanced reproductive technology as part of its efforts to save the animals and other wildlife.
