MINISTER WANTS MORE PUBLICATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- Natural Resources and Environment
Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas wants more environmental organisations to
share, through writing, their experiences on ways to conserve natural resources.

"I believe the sharing of experiences and best practices will empower all
stakeholders to build their capacity in our joint effort to achieve sustainable
use of natural resources," he said in his speech at the launch of a book
entitled "Journey Taken, Lessons Learnt: Empowering Malaysian Communities for
Conservation and Sustainable Resource Use", here Thursday.

The text of his speech was read out by the ministry's secretary-general,
Zoal Azha Yusof.

The book captures the experiences of Malaysian non-governmental
organisations and community-based organisations in empowering people so that
they can use, enjoy and benefit from nature in the long term.

It showcases 16 projects which relate to the co-management, sustainable use
and conservation of natural resources and biological diversity.

Uggah said there were many ways to conserve Malaysia's natural resources but
it was also important to understand the practical way of managing these
resources and getting policies translated into action.

"Translating these policies and guidelines into concrete action and
enforcing the laws are challenging tasks. We, therefore, need the cooperation of
every citizen, non-governmental organisation and industry, and the private
sector and government agencies," he said.
-- BERNAMA