Sarawak community rangers appointed to protect orangutan habitats

Thirty-nine community rangers have been appointed under the Global Wildlife Programme Malaysia to support the ‘Conserve the Bornean Orang Utan and its Habitat’ initiative. These rangers will operate across three national parks: Ulu Sebuyau, Sedilu, and Gunung Lesong.

Abang Arabi Abang Aimran, General Manager of the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), stated that the program aims to involve local communities directly in project management and conservation. The initiative is designed to protect wildlife habitats while simultaneously providing employment and increasing income for local residents.

The SFC also plans to appoint Honorary Wildlife Rangers (HWRs) by the end of the year to bolster voluntary community participation. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to establish Community Conservation Areas (CCAs) and develop community-based ecotourism in the region.