KUCHING: The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak in collaboration with Sarawak Timber Association (STA) will launch the Pilot Projects for Environmental Compliance Audit in the Forestry Sector on 9th November 2017 at Hilton Hotel Kuching. The Pilot Projects is intended to prepare the industries for the full implementation of the Natural Resources (Audit) Rules, 2008, a rule made under Section 18(q) of the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance, 1993. Apart from enhancing environmental stewardship, the ultimate objective of this audit rule is self-regulation among private and corporate sectors in Sarawak.

In conjunction with the Launching Ceremony, STA and eight (8) local timber companies will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NREB for strategic collaboration for the conduct of pilot projects. The Launching ceremony will be attended by approximately 300 people and the signing of MOU will be witnessed by Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources and Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak.

A one day seminar, “Seminar on Environmental Management in the Forestry Sector” will also be held in conjuction with the Launching Ceremony of Pilot Projects for Environmental Compliance Audit. About 130 participants from forestry sector and relevant government agencies will be attending the seminar.

The theme of the seminar, “Towards Environmental Sustainability” was chosen to reflect the importance of sustainable development in the forestry sector. Speakers from NREB, DOE and DOSH will be presenting papers at the seminar.

The implementation of Pilot Projects for Environmental Compliance Audit will mark the milestone towards environmental sustainability in Sarawak while the implementation of NRE (Audit) Rules, 2008 is the way forward for the forestry and timber industry in advocating the principles of sustainable development for the benefit of the present and future generations.