KUCHING: An Australian biologist has commended Sarawak Forestry Corporation and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) for holding the 8th International Bornean Frog Race at the Sarawak Islamic Information Centre here today.
“We need to start educating our children, especially those living in the city, to get out of their homes once in a while and spend a day at the nearest park to appreciate nature,” said Jodi Rowley, 39, from Sydney, a biologist who is doing research at the Australian Natural History Museum.
“It is important to teach children to appreciate the nature and the importance of amphibian conservation.
“As this is my first time to Kuching, I am excited to know about your beautiful rainforest that is home to many rare amphibians which have yet to be discovered.
“Therefore, I hope more awareness can be raised so that more participants from around the world will join this event and, at the same time, learn about the conservation of amphibians,” she added.
Asiful Islam, 24, from Bangladesh, who is currently an ICT student at Swinburne University, said through such nature-related events, people would start to focus on what they could do something to protect the environment and rare animal species that were about to go extinct.
“Unintentionally, we are destroying the forest due to industrialisation and we then forget its effects which lead to climate change and the rise of sea level.
“And due to deforestation, we are directly killing animal species. Therefore, it is important to start now by creating more awareness on nature preservation in schools to guide students to become more responsible towards mother nature.”
Amael Borzee, 30, who is doing research on conservation of amphibians in Korea, said he was joining the frog race in Kuching for the second time.
“The race is a platform to gather experts and researchers on amphibians to discuss how amphibians can be further protected,” he said, adding, “Education in nature preservation is crucial at a young age and we must teach them to love the nature.”
