Jan 2001Newsletter
Pre Budget 2001 Interview by the Presses
The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is committed
to the conservation of Malaysia's natural heritage and to the wise and
sustainable use of natural resources and its management. Accelerating economic
growth is vital to our reviving economy and to improve our standard of
living. However, economic growth which is not balanced, may deplete
our natural resources at an accelerated rate and may make us poorer in
the real sense due to a drop in the quality of life.
Unsustainable consumption and development
will consume us in the form of mounting solid-wastes, toxic and hazadous
wastes, air and waste-water discharges, pesticide run-offs and sedimentation
of air and water (surface and groundwater). Social and environmental
costs of increased health-care, chronic diseases, depletion of natural
resource and loss in biodiversity will make us poorer as a nation.
The government pays a key role in the
development of the country. The Malaysian Nature Society feels that
the National Budget should focus more on the conservation of our natural
resources and environment in view of its importance. More funding
should be allocated to Ministries and Departments related to the conservation
of protected areas, and those that are involved in the gazettement of and
enforcing the laws and policies regarding the environment, such as the
Department of Environment, Wildlife Department, Fisheries Department, Department
of Irrigation and Drainage, Forestry Department and Parks and Recreation
Department.
There are other government departments
that are indirectly related to conservation, but should be given better
financial support such as the JPS and the Town and Country Planning Department.
As Malaysia is a signatory to a number
of global agreements, there is a need to set up an Implementation Agency
for International Conventions and National Policies to implement and coordinate
the action plans of biodiversity policies and the conservation of natural
resources.
NGOs can play a major role in community
projects relating to conservation. Funding should be made easier
to these NGOs through relevant ministries to increase the level of public
awareness towards conservation especially to communities near national
and marine parks, forest reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.
Lastly, other areas that should not
be ignored in conservation and environmental management include tax credits,
rebates and exemptions on green environmental technology, support for recycling
and composting of solid wastes and higher penalties.
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Created on 1 Jan 2001