Sabah's Tiga Island Shores For Gazetting To Conserve Turtle Habitat

KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia), March 14 (Bernama) -- The shores off Pulau Tiga (Tiga Island) in the east Malaysian state of Sabah will be gazetted next year to ensure conservation of the endangered turtle habitat. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun told reporters that the move was necessary to protect stakeholders' interest. He was asked to comment on the 19 carcasses of endangered Green turtles found recently at the northern part of the island. It was the second incident after the discovery last year of 50 carcasses of green turtles by wildlife rangers. Earlier, he launched an education Facebook on wildlife and public awareness programme organised by the state Wildlife Department here Friday. Masidi also said the ministry would mull over a public suggestion to set up a sub-station on the island to monitor and prevent smuggling of endangered wildlife species. "Pulau Tiga is rather isolated and a vast area to control and we appreciate the concern and constructive criticisms. But we also hope the public would understand that such measure is easier said than done," he said. Meanwhile, the minister described education as the key to ultimately instill public awareness on the importance of conserving endangered wildlife species. "No matter how strict the enforcement to curb this threat against wildlife, there will be no solution other than public awareness," he stressed. Seven schools bangsaan La Salle are involved in the awareness programme. Masidi said financial assistance amounting to RM35,000 (US$9,510) would be disbursed to the participating schools. -- BERNAMA