Communities Urged To Keep An Open Mind On Forest Management - Hamden

KUCHING, July 1 (Bernama) -- Communities must remain open-minded, and not be easily swayed by external opinions which lack an understanding of forest management practices and legal frameworks on the ground, said Sarawak Forest Department (SFD) director Datuk Hamden Mohammad.

Speaking at the Community-Based Conservation Workshop 2025 yesterday, he reminded communities to take charge of their own future by making wise decisions to safeguard their land and forests for future generations, while also remaining adaptable to ongoing development.

“The department remains committed to advancing social forestry and community development initiatives, including training programmes, alternative economic projects based on non-timber forest products (NTFPs), formal recognition of Community Representative Committees (CRCs), and the implementation of ecosystem restoration efforts with active local participation.

“Through this inclusive approach, communities are not only beneficiaries but also strategic partners in implementing sustainable forest management,” he said.

The one-day workshop brought together 66 participants, from communities involved in the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) project in Ulu Baram, Anap-Muput and Ulu Mukah, as well as from the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) project areas under the supervision of the SFD’s International Affairs Division.

The workshop also featured knowledge and experience sharing sessions from various stakeholders, including success stories from community representatives, such as Daud Sedin of Ba’ Data Bila, who shared how close collaboration with the company and the Sarawak government helped secure various basic amenities for their area.

An official handover ceremony was also held for three completed projects in Ulu Baram - the Long Lama pedestrian walkway, the Lio Mato pedestrian walkway, and the upgraded gravity-fed water system in Ba’ Muboi - which were fully completed last April, through a collaboration between SFD and ITTO.

-- BERNAMA