KUCHING: Habitat protection and science-based conservation efforts must be strengthened to ensure the survival of hornbill species which symbolise Sarawak's identity and natural heritage.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the survival of hornbills is not only vital to preserving biodiversity but also reflects the health of the state's forests and ecosystems.

"Hornbills are not only a symbol of the state's identity and pride but also part of our cultural heritage and natural treasures that we must collectively protect," he said.

He said this when delivering his keynote address at the launch of the Sarawak-Level National Hornbill Day 2026 celebration which was graced by Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at the Sarawak Science Centre (SSCiEX) here on Tuesday.

Also present was the Sarawak Governor’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.

According to Datuk Amar Awang Tengah, protecting these species requires a holistic approach combining scientific research, habitat protection and continuous conservation efforts.

"The survival of hornbills is closely linked to the health and sustainability of forest ecosystems. Therefore, conservation efforts must integrate habitat protection, effective enforcement, scientific research and greater public awareness," he added.

These conservation efforts have also yielded positive results through a programme undertaken by Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) in collaboration with Explore Gaia Enterprise (GAIA), which has successfully restored more than 25 natural tree cavities to provide safer and more suitable nesting sites for hornbills.

Monitoring has shown that the restored cavities have been used by several species, including the Rhinoceros Hornbill, Black Hornbill and Wrinkled Hornbill.

In addition, 22 camera traps installed at restored tree cavities and artificial nesting sites have captured more than 25,000 images, providing valuable data on site usage, visitation rates and nesting behaviour of at least five hornbill species.

For the record, YSD has allocated RM2.6 million across three phases of its conservation programme with GAIA, while an additional RM980,000 was provided through a matching grant from the Ministry of Finance, bringing the total funding to RM3.58 million since 2021.

Themed ‘Bumi Kenyalang: Preserving Heritage, Protecting Nature’, the third edition of the celebration highlights advancements in scientific research, habitat restoration and community involvement in strengthening hornbill conservation efforts.

National Hornbill Day was introduced in 2024 by YSD and GAIA, with support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and various government agencies, to raise awareness of the importance of hornbill conservation and encourage public participation.

The celebration will continue on 11 November at Santubong National Park with native tree planting activities involving government representatives, conservation partners and volunteers to strengthen food sources and natural habitats for hornbills. -UKASnews