Protect, maintain Setiu Wetlands National Park well – Ahmad Samsuri
BANDAR PERMAISURI: The Setiu Wetlands State Park here, which is very rich in sea marsh treasures, needs to be well preserved and protected for the sake of future generations.
Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the area is also inhabited by various species of flora and fauna that provide good returns to the community from the economic aspects of survival and also the ecosystem.
“The Setiu Wetlands area has high value and needs to be promoted effectively and continuously,” he said when speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the Setiu Wetlands Festival 2022 here yesterday.
The festival from August 4 to 7 aims to increase the local community’s understanding of the uniqueness of the natural environment of wetlands which has the importance of ecosystem care in terms of water supply, flood control, storm barriers, coastal erosion control, biodiversity conservation and ecotourism.
In the meantime, he said, the wetland area should also be empowered and dignified because it is in line with the requirements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and towards meeting the criteria at the level of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Ahmad Samsuri said his party hoped that all parties at the department level, government and private agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the community would work together with the Terengganu State Park Management Council to empower and dignify the wetland.
Meanwhile, when met by reporters after the ceremony which received cooperation and funding from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), he said the state government always held discussions with the central government on initiatives that could be taken to empower the state park.
“We also hold discussions with private parties such as mega companies and large foundations that have various funds to implement their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“In the near future, we have reached an agreement with an entity from outside Terengganu, to provide funds to implement a project in this state park that will provide economic benefits to the local community… When it is confirmed and signed (agreement) we will inform you later (project details),” he said.
source – BERNAMA
