NRES To Formulate New Methods To Reduce Human-wildlife Conflicts

TANGKAK, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), aims to develop new methods to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, which are becoming increasingly frequent.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the ministry took the matter seriously, as it has become a major challenge, especially for Perhilitan, to ensure that wild animals, particularly elephants, do not continue to encroach on or come into conflict with humans.

He said the ministry and Perhilitan continuously monitor every conflict that occurs, adding that it is not that they do not take action; rather, they do not want to disturb the wild animals, including elephants, so that they can remain in their natural habitats.

"We certainly want these wild animals to continue living in their natural habitats; it is just that the challenge now is they (the wild animals) have to contend with changes brought about by the opening of new land for settlements, agriculture and development.

"For now, the NRES and Perhilitan, together with several other parties, are studying and formulating new solutions to reduce the occurrence of such incidents,” he told Bernama after the Mini MADANI Kita 'Kecemerlangan dan Motivasi Pelajar’ (Student Excellence and Motivation) Programme at TVETMARA Ledang here today.

He was commenting on a video clip that had gone viral depicting an adult male wild elephant, named Sulong Chalil, which walked hundreds of kilometres with an injured leg to return to its natural habitat in Gua Musang, Kelantan, after being relocated to a new forested area in Gerik, Perak, last month.

Syed Ibrahim said that although it might seem like they were letting the mammal roam freely, continuous monitoring was being carried out because elephants have unique behavioural characteristics and cannot be forced or made to feel confined.

"That is why we let it roam while keeping it under surveillance, but we will ensure it returns safely to its natural habitat… and I am actually grateful to Perhilitan, which has worked hard to help Sulong and other wild animals,” he said.

Meanwhile, Syed Ibrahim, who is also the Ledang Member of Parliament, said the programme held today would help strengthen human capital development by emphasising excellence, character-building, national identity and patriotism among the younger generation.

"It is especially appropriate that the programme, a strategic collaboration between the Performance Acceleration Coordination Unit (PACU) under the Prime Minister's Department and Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia (AKM), is held during the National Month as it can help produce responsible individuals, thus safeguarding the harmony of the country,” he added,

-- BERNAMA