(left), presenting a souvenir to Betong Dustrict Administrative Officer, Paimon
Fashar (right) after the closing ceremony of the Education and Awareness
Programme of Human-Crocodile Conflict Management held at Dewan Layar
Betong in Betong yesterday.
BETONG: 18 crocodile trade hunting licences and 10 crocodile selective killing licences were issued by the Sarawak Forest Department up to October this year to control the reptile population in the state. Sarawak Forest Department Wi ldl i fe Deputy Cont rol ler, Engkamat Lading said his department had issued four types of licences related to wildlife, especially crocodiles.
“For the crocodile trade hunting licences which were introduced in October, 2016, we have received 58 applications up to October this year. However, only 18 such licences have been issued while the rest are still being processed,” he said, adding that the licence owners were allowed to sell the crocodiles.
Engkamat revealed this after the closing ceremony of the Education and Awarenes s Programme of Human-Crocodile Conflict Management which was officiated by Betong District Administrative Officer, Paimon Fashar at Dewan Layar, Betong yesterday. Meanwhile, so far this year, 10 selective killing licences to reduce the population of crocodiles, had also been issued, he added.
“These licences are given to local individuals to kill certain crocodiles but these crocodiles cannot be sold,” added Engkamat. On the crocodile farm licences, he explained that in Sarawak, only two places had obtained the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permit, namely, Jong Crocodile Farm in Siburan, Kuching and Taman Buaya Miri (Benaya).
