LETTERS: Referring to the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan, we welcome promises of increased protection for endangered species in Malaysia.
We are in favour of the proposal to enlarge protected areas, involve local communities, step up enforcement operations to combat wildlife crimes, expand marine protected areas and review the Fisheries Act with increased penalties for offences involving the marine ecosystem and species.
These are admirable preventive measures to safeguard our endangered species.
Reports of regular sightings of elephants, tigers, panthers and other endangered animals is a significant issue that must be handled promptly.
Every year, thousands of square kilometres of forest are lost. One report on forest data showed that Malaysia lost an average of 96,000ha, or 0.43 per cent, of forest per year between 1990 and 2010. In total, the loss was 8.6 per cent, about 1,920,000ha, in the 20-year period.
The remaining forests face threats from development, illegal and unsustainable logging, illicit removal of forest products and forest encroachment due to agricultural and urbanisation activities.
The loss of forests has seriously impacted endangered species. In 2009, the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan was developed to double the population of Malayan tigers to 1,000 by 2020. But estimates show there are only less than 150 tigers left. Why did the plan fail?
We need the government's commitment rather than just plans. Having political will to carry out the study's recommendations is vital to save the tigers.
We are concerned about the authorities' approval for mining in permanent forest reserves, ecologically-sensitive regions and protected areas. Mining has negative environmental effects, such as increasing human-animal conflict involving people living and working around the mines, wildlife poaching, habitat fragmentation and pollution.
We hope the government is committed to following through on wildlife protection plans in the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
Solving wildlife-related problems require a strong framework of policies, funding and strengthening of government agencies.
MOHIDEEN ABDUL KADER
President, Consumers Association of Penang
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times