KUCHING: Sarawak currently has 250 Wildlife Guardian Rangers (WGRs) to assist in the protection of wildlife.
Out of the total recruited, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), in a Facebook post, said 99 are army veterans while 151 are local community members who will serve in various areas, including Kuching, Sibu, Miri, and Bintulu.
SFC chief executive officer Abang Arabi Abang Aimran on Monday (Feb 5) presented the certificate of appointment to the WGRs.
The WRG is an initiative under the Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme (BP3).
The integration of WGR into the Personal Short-Term Employment Programme (MySTEP) by the federal government, is overseen by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and implemented by SFC.
It offers immediate advantages in terms of job creation and safeguarding biodiversity, while also paving the way for a future that is more sustainable and aware of environmental concerns.
The WGRs is responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Ordinance 1998 and the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998, including related regulations for the protection and conservation of wildlife in Sarawak and Totally Protected Areas (TPAs).
They are set to undertake roles centered around the conservation of wildlife. Their duties encompass a range of activities including the surveillance and documentation of wildlife, patrolling areas particularly vulnerable to illegal activities, and establishing and maintaining signboards.
These efforts are integral to preserving the biodiversity and natural resources of Sarawak, and their primary focus will be on addressing issues such as unlawful hunting, the illegal wildlife trade, and unauthorised intrusion into protected zones.
Additionally, WRGs are responsible for the regular monitoring and maintenance of TPA and their tasks also include the upkeep of informational signage and demarcation markers in these regions.
Moreover, they will implement SMART PATROL strategies to enhance their conservation efforts.
