BELAWAI: Several locations have been earmarked as wildlife protection areas including Kuching Wetlands, Pulau Seduku in Sri Aman, Rajang Mangrove National Park and Sibuti.
Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said these areas could not only serve as crocodile habitats but also be developed into tourist destinations for those keen on observing and researching the crocodile life cycle.
He said this at the closing of the Belawai Festival 2024 on Sunday (Sept 29),where he also introduced the ‘Sarawak Croc Watch’ application, created by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC).
This user-friendly app is designed to enable the public to report crocodile sightings and access the latest information regarding crocodile encounters in the region.
The Sarawak Croc Watch app comprises five key features: Crocodile Sighting Reports, General Crocodile Sighting Maps, the 3M initiative (Know, Understand & Conserve), Crocodile Attacks, and Contact Information.
The Crocodile Sighting Reports provide a digital platform for individuals to log their crocodile sightings, while the General Crocodile Sighting Maps offer real-time updates in the form of ‘hotspots’ where crocodiles have been seen.
Additionally, the 3M initiative focuses on educating the public about wildlife conservation through understanding and proactive engagement.
The Crocodile Attacks feature on the other hand, disseminates information on confirmed crocodile attacks reported by relevant authorities.
As such, Len expressed hope that the Sarawak Croc Watch app will serve the community well and encouraged everyone to download it from the Google Play Store for the benefit of all.
Also present were Tanjong Manis MP Yusuf Abd Wahab, Mukah Resident Kueh Lei Poh, SFC Managing Director Abang Arabi Abang Aimran, Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) Busiai Seman, and Acting District Officer of Tanjung Manis Ismail Kasah.
