Thursday, 10 July 2025

Workshop builds on community role in forest conservation

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Sarawak Forest Department representative hands over the completed Gravity Water Supply System upgrade project plaque for Ba’ Muboi to the community representative, marking the successful collaboration between ITTO and the department. The project was officially completed in April 2025.

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KUCHING: Sarawak is stepping up efforts to place communities at the heart of forest conservation, as demonstrated by the recent “Community-Based Conservation 2025” workshop held on June 30 here.

The workshop brought together 66 participants from communities involved in the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) projects across Ulu Baram, Anap–Muput and Ulu Mukah, as well as those linked to the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) project areas managed by the Sarawak Forest Department’s (SFD) International Affairs Division.

Designed to strengthen collaboration between government, conservation bodies and local communities, the workshop featured insightful sharing sessions led by representatives from the Forest Department, the Jagoi Heritage Association, KOPEL Kinabatangan, and WWF-Malaysia.

Director of Forests Sarawak,Datuk Hamden Mohammad, delivering his keynote speech during the “Community-Based Conservation 2025” workshop held at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre, Kuching.

These sessions offered practical lessons and success stories in community-led environmental protection.

Director of Forests Sarawak, Datuk Hamden Mohammad, urged communities to remain open-minded and not to be swayed by outsiders unfamiliar with the realities of forest management and local legislation.

He called on communities to take charge of their future by making informed decisions to protect their land and forests, while also adapting to development and modern challenges.

Community voices were strongly featured during the event.

Tuai Rumah Jana from Anap–Muput and Ulu Mukah spoke of the positive impact of working with companies such as Zedtee Sdn. Bhd., which supported forest sustainability and local economic development.

Meanwhile, Daud Sedin from Ba’ Data Bila shared how partnerships with the private sector and the Sarawak government had brought vital infrastructure and basic facilities to their village.

A key highlight of the day was the official handover of three completed infrastructure projects to the Ulu Baram community: the Long Lamam Footpath, the Lio Mato Footpath, and upgrades to the Gravity Water System in Ba’ Muboi.

These projects, completed in April were the result of strong collaboration between the Sarawak Forest Department and ITTO.

Beyond the workshop, the Forest Department continues to advance social forestry and community development efforts.
Initiatives include training programmes, support for alternative livelihoods through non-timber forest products (NTFPs), recognition of Community Representative Committees (CRCs), and ecosystem restoration projects involving local communities.

By promoting inclusive engagement, the Department aims to transform communities from passive beneficiaries into active partners in sustainable forest management.

This workshop was another milestone in the Sarawak government’s mission to empower local communities in conservation, aligning with its vision for Sustainable Forest Management and long-term environmental and socio-economic resilience.

Also present were 20 representatives from the Forest Department and various relevant government agencies.

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