KUALA LUMPUR: The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), collaborating with the Tasik Chini Research Centre (PPTC-UKM), has organised the SDG Summit 2024 East Coast Prelude Programme, with a focus on maintaining the biosphere reserve status of Tasik Chini.
Under the theme of 'The Biodiversity and Ecosystem of Tasik Chini,' the program aims to raise awareness about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly emphasising SDG 14 (Life Underwater), which aims to preserve and revitalise marine ecosystems, and SDG 15 (Life on Land), which focuses on conserving biodiversity and natural habitats.
"ECERDC's initiative alongside the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and PPTC in the lotus seeding programme at Tasik Chini was not only crucial for its conservation and preservation but also aids the Orang Asli communities residing around Tasik Chini in Kampung Gumum, Kampung Melai, Kampung Cendahan, and Kampung Tanjung Puput in maintaining their way of life," said ECERDC chief operating officer Datuk Ragu Sampasivam.
The event at Tasik Chini aligns with ECERDC's efforts to prioritise conservation and biodiversity in Tasik Chini, including rehabilitation activities to maintain sustainability and replenish the population of pink lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) in its native habitat, using the floating lotus planting method, or 'flotilla'.
It said this planting method has won several awards, including the Gold Award for International Innovation at the Malaysia Technology Expo 2023 (MTE2023) and the Silver Award at the International Invention, Innovation, and Technology Exhibition (ITEX2023).
"The collaborative effort between the Federal and State Governments successfully ensured that Tasik Chini maintains its biosphere reserve status, as announced in France on June 13, 2023, during the 35th International Co-ordinating Council Meeting of the 'Man and the Biosphere Programme' (ICC MAB35)," it added.
The third and final prelude programme of the SDG Summit 2024 in Wilayah Timur will be held at KampungStay@Teluk Buih in Mersing, Johor, on May 12th, 2024.
This was followed by a technical visit to Setiu Wetlands and Tourism Village on May 18th, before the ECER SDG Summit takes place on May 19th, 2024, in Kuala Terengganu.