Latest news with #EcologicalFiscalTransfer
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Johor backs RM66m Viaduct Project to protect wildlife
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government fully supports the implementation of the Viaduct Project in the state which provides special crossings for wildlife to cross major roads. State Environment and Health Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said this project is not only for the safety of animals but also for road users who are at risk of accidents due to these collisions. According to him, the project site that has been identified is the Central Forest Spine (CFS2) Ecological Corridor, involving Labis Timur Forest Reserve, Mersing Forest Reserve and Lenggor Forest Reserve. The location of the crossing is proposed to be built at KM102, (federal road) FT50 Batu Pahat-Jemaluang route, involving an allocation of RM66.2 million. 'The construction of this 'viaduct' or wildlife crossing is a continuation of the government's ongoing efforts to address human-wildlife conflicts due to habitat fragmentation along the Central Forest Spine Ecological Corridor network. 'The viaduct's design is not just a physical infrastructure, but it reflects the integrated approach of the state and federal government in ensuring ecological continuity, the safety of animals and road users, as well as the long-term conservation of biodiversity in the state of Johor,' Ling said in his closing remarks during the Johor Legislative Assembly sitting at the Sultan Ismail Building here today. He also expressed his appreciation to the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) for the allocation of the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) to Johor, part of which will be used for several key initiatives, including the implementation of the elephant translocation operation that will begin in July and continue until December. In addition, he said, the allocation will also be used for the establishment of the Wildlife Protection Group (KPHL), with an allocation of RM226,000, in the Kluang district. Third, the installation of satellite collars on elephants to enable the early warning system to function effectively. So far, two units of satellite collars have been successfully installed, and the installation operation will continue until all existing stocks are used up. Additionally, the Johor Wildlife Department is currently in the process of acquiring five additional units, bringing the total number of satellite collars owned to 10 units. 'A total of 21 areas have been identified for the construction of elephant 'food banks', and engagement sessions with farmers have been held to ensure the effectiveness of this initiative. 'It is hoped that with this approach, conflicts between humans and elephants can be reduced, while at the same time preserving the survival of the increasingly endangered elephant species,' he added.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Johor fully supports implementation of wildlife Viaduct Project
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government fully supports the implementation of the Viaduct Project in the state which provides special crossings for wildlife to cross major roads. State Environment and Health Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said this project is not only for the safety of animals but also for road users who are at risk of accidents due to these collisions. According to him, the project site that has been identified is the Central Forest Spine (CFS2) Ecological Corridor, involving Labis Timur Forest Reserve, Mersing Forest Reserve and Lenggor Forest Reserve. The location of the crossing is proposed to be built at KM102, (federal road) FT50 Batu Pahat-Jemaluang route, involving an allocation of RM66.2 million. 'The construction of this 'viaduct' or wildlife crossing is a continuation of the government's ongoing efforts to address human-wildlife conflicts due to habitat fragmentation along the Central Forest Spine Ecological Corridor network. 'The viaduct's design is not just a physical infrastructure, but it reflects the integrated approach of the state and federal government in ensuring ecological continuity, the safety of animals and road users, as well as the long-term conservation of biodiversity in the state of Johor,' Ling said in his closing remarks during the Johor Legislative Assembly sitting at the Sultan Ismail Building here today. He also expressed his appreciation to the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) for the allocation of the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) to Johor, part of which will be used for several key initiatives, including the implementation of the elephant translocation operation that will begin in July and continue until December. In addition, he said, the allocation will also be used for the establishment of the Wildlife Protection Group (KPHL), with an allocation of RM226,000, in the Kluang district. Third, the installation of satellite collars on elephants to enable the early warning system to function effectively. So far, two units of satellite collars have been successfully installed, and the installation operation will continue until all existing stocks are used up. Additionally, the Johor Wildlife Department is currently in the process of acquiring five additional units, bringing the total number of satellite collars owned to 10 units. 'A total of 21 areas have been identified for the construction of elephant 'food banks', and engagement sessions with farmers have been held to ensure the effectiveness of this initiative. 'It is hoped that with this approach, conflicts between humans and elephants can be reduced, while at the same time preserving the survival of the increasingly endangered elephant species,' he added.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Stepping up efforts to curb human-wildlife conflict
ISKANDAR PUTERI: More than 66,000 human-wildlife conflict incidents have been reported in the past four years, involving monkeys, wild boars, and elephants, according to Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (pic). The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said these incidents, reported from 2020 to 2024, resulted in RM46.5mil in losses. 'There has been a significant increase in cases, with a total of 66,825 reports involving monkeys, elephants, wild boars, tigers and tapirs. 'In Johor, 7,996 complaints were received, with losses amounting to RM6.88mil,' he said during the launch of the Johor Human-Elephant Special Task Force here yesterday. He said human-elephant conflicts are pressing issues as they often involve lives and properties. 'This is a focus in Johor, which is why the state formed the task force to tackle the matter,' he said. Nik Nazmi said that at the federal level, his ministry's efforts include monitoring elephant movements with satellite collars and installing electric fences in villages and traditional farming areas near elephant habitats. He also said the Federal Government has allocated RM10mil to support those affected by human-wildlife conflicts. Also present was Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon. Nik Nazmi also engaged in a dialogue with stakeholders' representatives at the event. Issues raised included longstanding elephant conflicts affecting farmers in areas like Kota Tinggi and Kluang. Nik Nazmi said other efforts to address human-wildlife conflicts, especially involving elephants, were preserving the Central Forest Spine and increasing protected areas under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) for Biodiversity Conservation. 'When the government introduced EFT, we saw an increase in protected areas in the sea and on land, with a total area of 300,000ha (to date). 'Of that total, 90,000ha involve land, of which 14,000ha have been gazetted as permanent forest reserves,' he said. Earlier, Nik Nazmi welcomed the efforts of Johor government, which took proactive steps to establish a committee to coordinate actions to manage elephant-human conflict in the state in an integrated and systematic manner. He said the strategic move should be used as an example for other states to increase the effectiveness of efforts to address human-wildlife conflicts.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
66,825 complaints of wildlife conflict since 2020
ISKANDAR PUTERI: A total of 66,825 human-wildlife conflict complaints with an estimated loss of RM46.5 million have been recorded from 2020 to last year. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the significant increase involved animal species such as macaques, elephants, wild boars, Malayan tigers and tapirs. He said in Johor alone, 7,996 complaints were recorded with a total loss of RM6.88 million. 'We need an integrated action, involving all parties to resolve this issue and a more thorough and effective approach to deal with the human-wildlife conflict. 'This issue is an urgent matter as we have seen several issues that have gone viral lately,' he said at a press conference after officiating the launch of the Johor State Human-Elephant Conflict Special Committee and a dialogue session with the Minister of NRES, here today. Also present was the state Health and Environment Committee chairman, Ling Tian Soon. Nik Nazmi said the ministry had implemented various efforts to address human-wildlife conflict, especially elephants. According to him, this included preserving the Central Forest Spine and increasing protected areas under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) for Biodiversity Conservation. 'When the government introduced EFT, we saw an increase in protected areas in the sea and on land, (to date) with a total area of ??300,000 hectares. 'Of that total, 90,000 hectares involve land, of which 14,000 hectares have been gazetted as Permanent Forest Reserves,' he said. Earlier, Nik Nazmi welcomed the efforts of the Johor state government, which took proactive steps to establish a committee to coordinate actions to manage elephant-human conflict in the state in an integrated and systematic manner. He said the strategic move should be used as an example for other states to increase the effectiveness of efforts to address human-wildlife conflict.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Over 66,000 complaints of wildlife conflict since 2020, losses hit RM46.5mil
ISKANDAR PUTERI: A total of 66,825 human-wildlife conflict complaints with an estimated loss of RM46.5 million have been recorded from 2020 to last year. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the significant increase involved animal species such as macaques, elephants, wild boars, Malayan tigers and tapirs. He said in Johor alone, 7,996 complaints were recorded with a total loss of RM6.88 million. "We need an integrated action, involving all parties to resolve this issue and a more thorough and effective approach to deal with the human-wildlife conflict. "This issue is an urgent matter as we have seen several issues that have gone viral lately," he said at a press conference after launching the Johor State Human-Elephant Conflict Special Committee and a dialogue session with the Minister of NRES, here today. Also present was the state Health and Environment Committee chairman, Ling Tian Soon. Nik Nazmi said the ministry had implemented various efforts to address human-wildlife conflict, especially elephants. He said this included preserving the Central Forest Spine and increasing protected areas under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) for Biodiversity Conservation. "When the government introduced EFT, we saw an increase in protected areas in the sea and on land, (to date) with a total area of 300,000ha. "Of that total, 90,000ha involve land, of which 14,000ha have been gazetted as Permanent Forest Reserves," he said. Earlier, Nik Nazmi welcomed the efforts of the Johor state government, which took proactive steps to establish a committee to coordinate actions to manage elephant-human conflict in the state in an integrated and systematic manner. He said the strategic move should be used as an example for other states to increase the effectiveness of efforts to address human-wildlife conflict. – Bernama
