KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has pledged to undertake several management plans on environmental preservation and conservation as well as green sustainability.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said these include the Sabah Endangered Wildlife Action Plan and Sabah Coastal Management Plan, as well as the Management Plan for Mabul Island, Pom-Pom Island and surrounding islands.
The initiative, he said, is part of efforts to ensure that each component in creating green sustainability will be given due attention.
"Sabah has been honoured as the host for the Second Asian Parks Congress at Kota Kinabalu in May, 2022. The congress will be jointly organised with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)," he said.
Hajiji, who is also state finance minister, when tabling 2022 state Budget said RM12.35 million would be allocated for the management plans under supply expenditure and RM16.56 million under development expenditure.
He added that the Sabah Environment Protection Department has developed an application, namely "Environmental Police", which aims to increase environmental awareness on marine pollution issues based on the Sabah State Environmental Education Policy 2009.
"The green sustainability agenda is also directly related to the tourism industry.
"The diversity and uniqueness of the flora and fauna in the state continues to be the main attraction for domestic and foreign tourists.
"As such, a total of RM9 million is allocated under development expenditure to the Department of Wildlife, Sabah Parks and the Department of Environmental Protection to protect flora and fauna species," he said.
He said a total of RM115.73 million is also allocated to other departments and agencies such as the Forestry Department and the Sabah Biodiversity Unit.
Hajiji said the green sustainability agenda was very important as it not only involves environmental issues and the global warming phenomenon, but is also an asset for economic development and state revenue.