DATE: SATURDAY, 7TH December 2019
TIME: 9.30 A.M.
VENUE: MNS HQ Auditorium, JKR 641 Jalan Kelantan, Bukit Persekutuan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Speaker : Mr Balu Perumal, Head of Conservation, MNS
Here is a preview of the talk ;
From my experience being a project officer. First to be introduced to the subject of “community engagement” whilst I was spearheading a Ramsar project in Kuala Gula, Perak; at that time (2003) I was working for Wetlands International. CETA and KALAM were the firstexperimental community organisation created to focus on wetlands conservation and take advantage on local ecotourism activity. Later the effort was continue under Global Environment – where Sahabat Hutan Bakau (Kuala Gula) was born. The initiatives were duplicated at various locations with other local communities – Sahabat Sungai Nenggiri (Gua Musang) focussing on river and freshwater fish conservation, followed by Sahabat Hutan Gambut (Selangor Utara) focussing on peat swamp forest conservation. All three of the community outfits were registered with the ROS and have received support from various donors/ NGO partners to run their activities.
When I joined MNS in 2012, I continued with the effort and the following community organisations were created – Komuniti Ramsar (Kuala Selangor) to focus on wetlands awareness and environmental education; Rakan Napoh (Tioman), Sahabat Raja Rimba (Merapoh) and Sahabat Beruang Matahari (Kuala Lipis, Kuala Terengganu, Mersing, Gerik & Kalabakan, Sabah) to highlight on the rare and threatened wildlife species; Komuniti Kelip-kelip (Kg. Kuantan, Kg. Dew, Kg. Sg. Timun, Sg. Cherating & Bukit Kiara) focussing on insect conservation; Sahabat Burung Enggang (Kg. Air Banun, Belum-Temengor) forest bird species conservation; and Komuniti Flyway (KSNP, Sg. Buloh Sasaran, Kg. Serdang & Pulau Ketam) focussing on migratory birds and Important Bird Area.These local community groups, however, are recognised and endorsed as “MNS Community” and receives direct support through MNS projects. In my experience working with local communities, this will be the best approach to ensure sustainability of conservation activities and advocacy on the ground. Just like our MNS members they are a group of local volunteers, who can be passionate about nature and environment, and can be trained as local champions/ guardians to keep our forest and the wildlife habitat intact on the ground. There has been many memories along this long journey of mine, and it can be told as stories to my fellow MNS colleagues if you could just spare an ear.
The talk is open to all members of the public. Just drop by the MNS HQ and join us. Kindly email mnsflora@gmail.com for more information.
Thank you and see you there.