Source : Brunei Direct, Brunei, 19 Apr 2010
By : Rasidah Hab, Brunei Times
  

"There is a need to build Capacity and capabilities with regard to intelligence management, investigative actions and operational activities. It is also important to identify ways and means to improve the flow and exchange of information between agencies," Yahya Hj Idris said during the Heart of Borneo Workshop on Wildlife Crime yesterday.

He pointed out that trafficking endangered wildlife is no difference with trafficking in illegal narcotics and it runs a close second or third behind money laundering and firearms.

He said that illegal trafficking has grown more rapidly, contributing significantly to the loss of world's endangered wildlife.

"The covert and sophisticated nature of illegal wildlife trade operations across the globe makes such networks difficult to be detected by national authorities," he added.

He added: "The reputation of Heart of Borneo as one of the world's most important centre of biological diversity and top conservation of equatorial wildlife species, as recognised by WWF (World Wildlife Fund) would be in jeopardy if the activities of human interferences that damage its biodiversity are not controlled effectively."

Borneo Island's richness which harbours up to six per cent of the world's total biodiversity and being the only two places with the coexistence of three big mammals (rhinos, elephants and orang utans), must be protected by any means.

The sentiment was shared by Deputy Director of Forestry Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources who stressed the importance of sharing knowledge and experience with other countries which also help to bolster Brunei's confidence in tackling illegal wildlife trade issue.

In an interview with The Brunei Times Mahmud Yusof said: "So far we are not very confident. We have to learn from our neighbours on how they curb illegal wildlife trade".

As a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), Brunei is committed in preventing the smuggling of wildlife and identifying species commonly being traded in Southeast Asia.

"We want to build up our capacities in dealing with illegal wildlife trade. This is relevant to the Forestry Department's role as the custodian of (natural) resources in the country," he said.

This workshop, he added, will also prove beneficial for the Royal Brunei Customs and Excise as they are the ones manning the entrance and checkpoint for all these goods, in building up capacity.

"The objective of this workshop is to learn from each other. We want to share information with our colleagues especially members of Heart of Borneo (Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia)," he added.

The Heart of Borneo Customs Workshop will discuss Customs procedure, forest laws and regulation (related to trafficking). The information sharing is vital as the illegal trade involves wildlife from Brunei and those from other countries being traded in the Sultanate.

The knowledge gained from the workshop will provide more information and knowledge and real life experience on how to (manage) the issue, he added.

Brunei's enforcement level is 'very good' according to Mahmud, but it alone is not sufficient.

"We have done very well. We have the personnel and facilities but the most important thing is the support from the public. We cannot do this ourselves. These resources belong to the country. As officers, we can implement the laws but public support is important in helping us to accomplish this," he said.

The workshop is tied in with the department's continuous efforts in environment conservation and preservation. In a move to engage greater public participation, the department is active in its environment public awareness campaign.

International events such as World Forestry Day, celebrated on March 21, highlight the 'Nature Camp' aimed at raising awareness of the importance of forests among the younger generation.

"The celebrations are our point of reference to protect all the resources (flora and fauna) that we have," Mahmud said.

The department also supports the World Earth Day celebration which falls on April 22, Mahmud added, as it is about the environment.

"We protect our forests to preserve the environment. Our forest is the source of our wealth of biodiversity. This is in line with the department's policies. "We have our part in protecting the earth. When we talk about earth, we are talking about habitat and environment. Without protecting the environment, we cannot protect the habitat. They are all interrelated, environment, habitat and biodiversity in the system," he said.