Guest guest Posted September 8, 2002 Report Share Posted September 8, 2002 New Straits Times » NewsBreak Over-exploitation of birds nests threatening Mulu KUCHING, Sept 2 2002: The natural ecosystem of Mulu National Park, Sarawak's only World Heritage Site, is being threatened by over-exploitation of birds' nests in its caves, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said today. " This (over-exploitation) may cause irreparable damage and upset the natural biochemistry of the cave systems of the site, " he said in his speech at the opening of a biodiversity seminar here. His speech was read by his deputy Tan Sri Alfred Jabu. Taib said the State Government was concerned with the impact to the environment at the park due to the collection of the birds' nests. " Those who have been awarded the permits by the State Tourism Ministry to collect birds' nests are actually given limitations to the amount they can take at one time. " Therefore, we urge everyone to play their role in our efforts to ensure sustainable use of our biodiversity, " he added. He stressed the government was very serious about the conservation of its wildlife with proof that Sarawak was the first in the world to come up with a master plan to save its wildlife. " The Master Plan for Wildlife in Sarawak was completed in 1996 and adopted as state policy by the State Cabinet in early 1997, " he said, adding that the plan comprised a wide range of measures to be taken. Taib said the two early measures already taken were the restriction of cartridge sales to 10 per shotgun per month and the closures of all unused logging roads to curb hunting of wildlife. He said the government had also legislated the Wildlife Protection Ordinance, 1998, and the National Parks Ordinance, 1998, to provide greater protection to the wildlife. Taib said the setting up of the Sarawak Biodiversity Council in 1998 was to help the State regulate access to, research and utilisation of biodiversity. He added under the Third Outline Perspective Plan (OPP3), the government would strive to ensure that the environment was clean, healthy and productive as well as capable of sustaining the nation's needs and aspirations. " During the OPP3 period, emphasis will be placed on addressing environmental and resource issues in an integrated and holistic manner. " The challenge will be to identify prudent, cost-effective and adaptive management approaches that yield multiple benefits for a more sustainable future, " Taib said. The United Nations Association of Malaysia's Secretary-General Datuk Dr Ian Chia said through the application of cutting edge technology, bioprospecting, transgenic methods and research and development had opened new fields of health and economic opportunities that would have significant impact in the world. " These opportunities can be translated into a wide variety of biotechnology industries covering the development and production of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, food and food ingredients, feed and feed supplements, development and production of biotechnology processes for waste treatment, cell culture, biopolymers and biomaterials, " he added. He said it was not possible to place an exact commercial value on the products and services as most of these were at the research stage or were yet to be discovered. " As an indication, the top 15 crops used by pharmaceutical companies in the United States was valued at over US$50 billion (RM190 billion), and all of these crops are originating from developing countries, " he said. About 150 scientists and researchers were attending the seminar entitled Challenges and Opportunities for the Conversation and Sustainable use of Biodiversity: Its implications and Prospects for Biodiversity. The seminar was organised by the State-owned Centre for Modern Management, UN Association of Malaysia, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment and State Government. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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