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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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