By: MUGUNTAN VANAR
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has come up with a 10-year action plan to combat wildlife crimes as part of the state’s conservation efforts.
The target is for all stakeholders to work together with strategies in place to check on threats against wildlife, including the use of online trade platforms.
The action plan was launched by state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai Mei Sing at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre yesterday.
Lai said the key thrust of the plan was to guide the Sabah Wildlife Department in protecting the state’s wildlife resources, especially the endangered wildlife species listed in the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
“The plan also outlines conservation responsibilities that are shared with other stakeholders and serves as a framework for making decisions and actions,” she said in her speech read by Sabah Wildlife Department director Roland Oliver Niun.
It also emphasises the creation of a proactive, competent and effective wildlife law enforcement network, and empowers stakeholders to protect wildlife through a more comprehensive approach.
“This plan has taken one year to develop through a series of workshops and discussions with enforcement agencies, government departments, research institutions and non-governmental organisations, with a focus on strengthening wildlife protection efforts through a collaborative approach and the involvement of all parties,” Lai added.
“Wildlife crime is one of the biggest threats to wildlife conservation efforts in Sabah.
“Apart from the threat of illegal hunting for commercial purposes, pets, food sources and traditional medicine, wildlife is also smuggled out through land, air and sea networks.
“The presence of wildlife cyber crime has also complicated enforcement actions and has become a new challenge, which hinders effective efforts in combating the crime of wildlife smuggling and conservation efforts,” Lai said.
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