BETONG: Based on the Non- Detriment Finding (NDF) studies conducted from 2012 to 2014 on 2,200 kilometres of accessible rivers in the state, there are about 2,400 crocodiles in Sarawak, The saltwater crocodiles, scientifically known as crocodylus porosus, have the largest population at present, according to the Sarawak Forest Department Wildlife Deputy Controller, Engkamat Lading, who spoke after the closing ceremony of the Education and Awareness Programme of Human-Crocodile Conflict Management which was officiated by Betong District Administrative Officer, Paimon Fashar at Dewan Layar here yesterday.
The crocodi le populat ion, Engkamat said, had increased drastically in some of the major rivers such as Batang Lupar, Batang Saribas, Batang Sadong, Seblak River, Sebuyau River, Rimbas River and Krian River showing a population density of between eight and ten per kilometre.
“This means that the population of crocodiles in several major rivers in Sarawak has increased by 30 times compared to the population estimate in the 1980s,” he said. Engkamat added that such vast increase in the crocodile population posed threats to the people who depended on the rivers for their livelihood and still used them as their main means of transport.
“From January to October, 2017, 12 cases of crocodile attacks in Sarawak were documented, with nine of them resulting in deaths. “From 2014 to 2016, a total of 32 crocodile attacks occurred with 17 of them resulting in deaths. Most of the victims were residents who used the rivers as sources of food, water supply and means of transport,” he explained. This programme, organised by the Forest Department of Sarawak and the Betong District Office with community leaders and government agencies, aimed to provide more knowledge on crocodiles.
The programme included three series of talks on the topic of “Human and Crocodile Conflicts” by Engkamat Lading, “Crocodile License and Related Matters” by Philcaine Pilla and the “Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998” by Dayang Nuriza Abang Abdillah.
Another aim of the Education and Awarenes s Programme of Human-Crocodile Conflict Management was to enhance cooperation between the various departments and agencies in resolving the human and crocodile conflicts.
Also present at the event were Head of Betong Public Order Depar tment (KBKA) , Betong Distr ict Police Headquar ters ( I PD) , A S P S t a n l y Mawa t Ranggau, Head of Betong Fire and Rescue Station PPgB James Whelan @ Whelan Ngang, Betong District Civil Defence Officer (PPAD), Lieutenant Muda Desem Samuel , Assistant Of f icer of Social Welfare Betong, Veronica Jemat Betong and community leaders. The free CSS minimizer will compress the style files for your websites in seconds and it does not require download and installation.
