Source : Bernama.com, Malaysia, 16 Aug '06
By : Bernama
  

Its Honorary Wildlife Ranger programme, for example, would be continued and enhanced, state Minister of Environment and Public Health Datuk Micheal Manyin said.

(Since 1998, community leaders have been appointed as honorary rangers to guide and lead the local population in wildlife and environment protection.)

Speaking at a gathering for rangers liaison officers here last night, Manyin said the state was known for its great natural resources and biodiversity.

"Thus it needs to be vigilant against any irrevocable damages to its environment when numerous development projects are carried out under the Ninth Plan.

"The balance between our environment protection and economic development must be maintained and this will remain our target."

Manyin said the state had realised the importance of protecting its environment and natural resources since the colonial days.

"Thus we have the Natural Resources Ordinance 1949, Forest Ordinance 1954, National Parks Ordinance 1956, Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1958 and the Land Code 1958."

He said a well protected environment and wildlife were vital for the further development of its tourism sector.

On the role of the liaison officers, he said they needed to be committed in enforcing the laws and in spreading information on wildlife and environment protection, especially among the rural folk.

He regretted an incident in Kabong in the Betong district last April 16 when a beached whale was butchered and sold to the public, out of ignorance and insensitivity.

He said it was a totally protected species in the state and should it have been allowed to live, it could have been another tourist attraction to the area.

"In Australia and New Zealand, for example, tourists are prepared to spend a lot of money to see whales in their natural environment and this has benefited the local communities greatly," he said.