TASIK CHINI, PAHANG, 11 MAY 2024: The second SDG Summit 2024 Wilayah Timur Prelude Programme was organised by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) in collaboration with the Tasik Chini Research Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPTC), under the theme ‘The Biodiversity and Ecosystem of Tasik Chini’, here, today.

The theme of this programme was chosen to cultivate awareness about Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), with a focus on SDG 14 (Life Underwater), aimed at protecting and restoring ecosystems and SDG 15 (Life on Land), focusing on safeguarding biodiversity and natural habitats.

Participants of the programme were enlightened about the importance of conservation and preservation of the Tasik Chini biosphere reserve as part of efforts to establish Tasik Chini as a premier eco-tourism destination in the country while ensuring the preservation of the indigenous community’s interconnectedness with the Tasik Chini ecosystem.

“ECERDC’s initiative alongside the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and PPTC in the lotus seeding programme at Tasik Chini was not only crucial for its conservation and preservation but also aids the Orang Asli communities residing around Tasik Chini in Kampung Gumum, Kampung Melai, Kampung Cendahan, and Kampung Tanjung Puput in maintaining their way of life,” said YBhg. Dato’ Ragu Sampasivam, Chief Operating Officer of ECERDC at the programme.

The second SDG prelude programme also involved briefing sessions on the Tasik Chini ecosystem, as well as boat exploration and forest canopy walk around the PPTC Freshwater Laboratory. A sharing session by the Orang Asli community of the Jakun tribe with participants, comprising educators and students from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) was also held.

The event at Tasik Chini aligns with ECERDC’s efforts to prioritise conservation and biodiversity in Tasik Chini, including rehabilitation activities to maintain sustainability and to replenish the population of pink lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) in its native habitat, using the floating lotus planting method or ‘flotilla’. This planting method has won several awards, including the Gold Award for International Innovation at the Malaysia Technology Expo 2023 (MTE2023) and the Silver Award at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX2023).

The collaborative effort between the Federal and State Governments successfully ensured that Tasik Chini maintains its biosphere reserve status, as announced in France on June 13, 2023, during the 35th International Co-ordinating Council Meeting of the ‘Man and the Biosphere Programme’ (ICC MAB35).

The programme was attended by YBrs. Puan Salina binti Muhamad Sali Luddin, Deputy Director 1, Department of Environmental Economics and Natural Resources, Ministry of Economy, YBrs. En. Ahmad Azimeer bin Abdul Manaf, Deputy Director 2, National SDG Centre, YBrs. Professor Datin. Ts. Dr. Mimi Sakinah binti Abdul Munaim, Deputy Vice Chancellor, UMPSA Industry & Community Network Centre, and Associate Professor Dr. Wan Mohd Aizat Bin Wan Kamaruddin, Director, UKM Centre for Natural & Physical Laboratory Management (ALAF-UKM). In addition to UMPSA students, the event was also attended by representatives of the Orang Asli community of the Jakun tribe from Tasik Chini, as well as officials from ECERDC and PPTC.

The third and final Prelude Programme of SDG Summit 2024 Wilayah Timur will be held at KampungStay@Teluk Buih in Mersing, Johor on May 12^th, 2024, followed by a technical visit to Setiu Wetlands and Tourism Village on May 18^th before the ECER SDG Summit takes place on May 19^th, 2024, in Kuala Terengganu.

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