The state will soon increase the coverage of Heart of Borneo (HoB) Initiative from 2.1 million hectares to 2.5 million hectares.

This was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who emphasised the need to conserve the state’s forest and its biodiversity.

“We have to have a good approach in terms of exploitation of our resources and that is why we must take care of HoB.

“We will add 400,000 hectares to be declared as part of the HoB Initiative, thus increasing the total area in Sarawak to 2.5 million hectares,” he said when met after officiating at the HoB Sarawak Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) Carnival in Kuching Waterfront here yesterday.

Abang Johari, who is also Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources, said the extension would cover seven additional areas.

“We will extend the HoB until Tanjung Dato which also covers Kelingkang Range, Gunung Apeng National Park, Bengoh Range National Park, Gunung Pueh National Park, Gunung Gading National Park, Samusan Wildlife Sanctuary and Tanjung Dato National Park.”

Sarawak’s total area of 2.1 million hectares covers around 20 per cent of HoB total area which comprises approximately 30 per cent of Borneo land size.

The HoB Initiative is a transboundary effort between Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia to enable conservation and sustainable development, aimed at improving the welfare of those living on the island and to minimise deforestation, forest degradation and the associated loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari revealed plans to introduce a new data system for the state’s land utilisation much like what is being implemented in Estonia.

“I recently went to Estonia with (deputy chief minister) Datuk Amar Awang Tengah (Ali Hasan), which has a multi-layered data system for land utilisation, soil data and soil profile.

“This means with such system, we can simulate what type of soil is there, and how long a tree can grow within a period of time, for instance. This is all done through the system which analyses the data we have.”

Inspired by the system, Abang Johari said he has since instructed Awang Tengah to introduce this to the state’s land utilisation so that the state government will be able to manage its land well.

Abang Johari also touched on new courses sponsored by Yayasan Sarawak which will provide a big impact to human resources in the state’s forest industry.

“Biodiversity is very important and therefore the courses we provide to our young generation must be relevant to what we are doing.

“Among the new courses we have introduced are genetic engineering, molecular biology and 3D printing, for the benefit of those in the forest industry.

“When you have the right and trained people, our timber and forests will be sustainably managed, thus bringing income to the state.

“We can also contribute to the green environment,” he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh and Forest Department director Sapuan Ahmad were among those present at the function.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Marilyn Ten

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