Sarawak Strengthens Orangutan Conservation to Protect State Treasures
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is continuing its strong efforts to conserve orangutans, recognising them as state treasures and an important part of Sarawak’s identity at the international level.
Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, said based on a recent census by the Sarawak Forest Department, more than 1,800 wild orangutans currently live in the state’s tropical rainforests.
“The orangutan population is mostly concentrated in the Lanjak-Entimau Forest Reserve and Batang Ai National Park in Sri Aman Division, as well as in Ulu Sebuyau and Maludam National Parks in Betong Division,” he said when met after attending the International Orangutan Day celebration here today.
He added that the state government has gazetted more than 230,000 hectares of land as fully protected forests to ensure the long-term sustainability of orangutan habitats. “This move reflects Sarawak’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and supports global efforts to protect endangered species,” he said.
Datuk Len also highlighted that Sarawak’s conservation efforts have received cooperation from international organisations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The success of the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, which has produced the third generation of orangutans naturally, further proves the effectiveness of the government’s long-term initiatives. “Semenggoh is now recognised internationally as a reference centre. It has managed to release orangutans back into the wild while also drawing visitors from across the globe,” he explained.
Public awareness initiatives such as the ‘Adopt an Orangutan Programme’ have also been introduced to allow both the public and private sector to play an active role in conservation. “This approach not only increases community involvement but also raises awareness of the importance of orangutans as an umbrella species in our rainforest ecosystem,” he said.
The programme was also supported by local leaders and community representatives, including Batu Kitang assemblyman YB Dato Lo Khere Chiang, MPP chairman Tan Kai, as well as several NGOs who attended the event to show their commitment to wildlife conservation.
Datuk Len stressed that continuous cooperation from all parties is vital. “With long-term dedication, future generations will still be able to witness the uniqueness of orangutans in Sarawak,” he said.
