KUCHING: Kuching Wetland National Park has been identified as a high-potential location for the development of a crocodile sanctuary to address the increasingly worrisome issue of human-crocodile conflict.

Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the proposed area in Kuching Wetland National Park covers an area of around 100 acres and will be fenced to guarantee the safety of residents and ensure that the natural habitat of crocodiles is maintained.

According to him, four other locations have also been identified to be used as crocodile sanctuaries, namely Pulau Seduku in Sri Aman, Rajang National Park in Sibuti and either Lawas or Limbang.

"These locations have been identified to remove crocodiles from areas that could threaten our population, especially those who make a living through the river.

"Unlike in foreign countries like Australia, our people go to the river not for recreation but as a source of food.

“Therefore, the balance between human life and the presence of crocodiles must be handled prudently without affecting the natural ecosystem,” he said in a press conference after a tree planting ceremony at Sungai Lemidin, Kuching Wetland National Park on Monday.

Datuk Len explained that the crocodile sanctuary will focus on five main objectives, namely crocodile relocation, development of new ecotourism products, research and development (R&D) on crocodile behaviour, public education on the role of crocodiles in the ecosystem, as well as providing economic and social benefits to the local community.

According to him, the sanctuary in Kuching Wetland National Park will be developed with the main components, while other locations will function as crocodile relocation zones with minimal facility requirements.

He stressed that the Sarawak Government aims for the community to understand that crocodiles also play an important role in the balance of the ecosystem, and are not just seen as a threat.

Datuk Len said that the implementation of the development of the crocodile sanctuary will begin as soon as possible because it has received the green light from the government and the necessary allocations have been identified.

He added that an engagement session with the nearby community will be held for them to understand the function and impact of this project.

Also present during the press conference were Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Project Coordinator for the Regional Development Agency, Kuching North City Hall and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Abang Arabi Abang Aimran, and Director of Forest Department Sarawak, Datu Hamden Mohammad. -UKASnews