KUCHING: The preservation of forests, rivers, and biodiversity is not merely an effort to protect natural treasures, it is also essential for ensuring water security, food security and the well-being of the people of Sarawak.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that natural ecosystems play a vital role in maintaining environmental balance and supporting the lives of the community.

“Protecting forests, rivers, and biodiversity not only ensures ecosystem balance but also supports water security, food security, public health and economic resilience against climate change,” he said.

He said this while representing the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, at the Sarawak-Level National Environment Day celebration held at a hotel here on Thursday.

According to him, Sarawak possesses 7.64 million hectares of forest cover, equivalent to 62 per cent of its total land area, while 71 Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) spanning 0.87 million hectares have been gazetted to safeguard biodiversity and wildlife habitats.

He added that the Sarawak Government continues to prioritise environmental sustainability as a key development focus through the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which is anchored in economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah added that this commitment is further strengthened through the Sarawak Sustainability Blueprint 2030, which emphasises the responsible management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and pollution control, in addition to the target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Penguang Manggil, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration) Datu Felicia Tan Ya Hua and Environmental Quality Controller Datu Jack Liam. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Nur Nabilla
Photo: Nur Nabilla
Translator: Nerissa Sia