39 locals join orangutan conservation drive through community ranger programme

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 6: A total of 39 rangers from local communities in Ulu Sebuyau, Sedilu, and Gunung Lesong have been appointed under the Global Wildlife Programme Malaysia to implement the ‘Conserve the Bornean Orang Utan and its Habitat’ component across the three national parks.

In a TVS report, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran said the initiative represents direct community involvement in the management and conservation of the project areas.

He said the appointment of community rangers would not only help protect wildlife habitats but also provide employment opportunities and increase the income sources of residents.

“SFC is also targeting the appointment of Honorary Wildlife Rangers (HWRs) by the end of this year as part of efforts to strengthen voluntary community involvement in wildlife management and conservation,” he said at the Community Engagement Workshop on the Establishment of Community Conservation Areas (CCAs) in the Ulu Sebuyau, Sedilu, and Gunung Lesong national park areas here on Monday (Oct 5).