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