KUCHING: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed today to promote nature-based and ecotourism packages while advancing the conservation of Sarawak’s critical mangroves and marine mammals.
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) signed the MoU at WWF-Malaysia’s Sarawak Office in Kuching today (Dec 16).
The partnership creates a collaborative framework to promote responsible ecotourism in WWF-Malaysia’s project areas, particularly the biodiverse Rajang-Belawai-Paloh delta in Tanjung Manis, home to mangrove forests and Irrawaddy dolphins, while balancing conservation efforts with community-focused economic development.
According to the Conservation Director of WWF-Malaysia, Dr Henry Chan, the partnership with STB is an opportunity to link conservation with sustainable ecotourism, aiming to raise awareness and support livelihoods while protecting the biodiversity of the Rajang-Belawai-Paloh delta.
“This partnership with STB is a fantastic opportunity to connect conservation with sustainable ecotourism.
“The Rajang-Belawai-Paloh delta is a unique biodiversity hotspot, and through this collaboration, we hope to foster greater awareness and support sustainable livelihood opportunities that benefit both the environment and the communities who depend on it,” he said.
The partnership aims to achieve several key goals, including developing and testing nature-based ecotourism packages that prioritise biodiversity conservation while fostering community involvement and sustainable livelihoods.
It also focuses on empowering local communities by enhancing their skills and capacity for ecotourism management, particularly in building community-based enterprises.
Additionally, the collaboration seeks to promote cooperative management by encouraging partnerships among local communities and stakeholders in managing and marketing ecotourism initiatives.
To support these efforts, communication materials will be produced to raise awareness about conservation and promote responsible tourism among locals and visitors.
Furthermore, the partnership includes joint activities like professional training, workshops, and seminars to equip local communities and stakeholders with skills to manage ecotourism sustainably and responsibly.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of STB, Sharzede Datuk Salleh Askor, emphasised that the partnership with WWF-Malaysia aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting responsible tourism, empowering communities through education, developing sustainable ecotourism, and fostering collaborations to protect Sarawak’s biodiversity while creating economic opportunities.
“Responsible tourism is central to our vision for Sarawak, and our partnership with WWF-Malaysia strengthens our commitment to the United Nations SDGs, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education by empowering local communities with training and knowledge, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through the development of sustainable ecotourism, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by fostering meaningful collaborations that benefit both nature and local communities.
“Together, we aim to safeguard Sarawak’s unique biodiversity while fostering sustainable economic opportunities for its people,” she said.
The partnership also aims to enhance ecotourism opportunities, foster collaboration among communities and stakeholders, and promote a unified approach to conservation and sustainable development, all in order to protect Sarawak’s natural heritage.
