KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 80,375 reports of human-wildlife conflicts have been reported since 2018 leading to an estimated loss of nearly RM62.5 million.
Natural Resources and Environment Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad human-wildlife conflicts is a serious issue and requires a comprehensive approach while also preserving the country's rich biodiversity as best as possible.
He said 7,925 cases were recorded in 2018, 9,700 in 2019, 11,800 in 2020, 12,800 in 2021, 13,670 in 2022, and 11,341 in 2024 to date.
"We know that the key issue is the destruction of habitats – that is the main problem, and we acknowledge that we are playing catch-up with wildlife conflicts and biodiversity.
"We are indeed in the process of improving the coverage of Perhilitan (the Wildlife and National Parks Department) services across the country.
"Each year, we assess and allocate staff and resources, focusing on areas with high impact and significant conflict. The operational costs for Perhilitan remain the same over a five-year period, but the habitat issues are becoming increasingly serious," he said in Dewan Rakyat.
Nik Nazmi was responding to Kesavan Subramaniam (PH-Sungai Siput) who asked whether the steps for land acquisition for the East Coast Rail Line meet ecological sustainability aspects, ensuring that the wildlife ecosystem is well-managed.
He said the aspect of wildlife management planning is given due attention, and it is a key prerequisite for Perhilitan in approving the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report as the ECRL route spans 665 kilometres, crossing from Gombak to Kota Bharu, and involves several forest reserves that serve as wildlife habitats.
On this, he said, Perhilitan has signed a cooperation agreement with ECRL on a Wildlife Management Plan, valid until 2027, to ensure the sustainability of wildlife and its habitats.
Among the mitigation measures include conducting the requirement for an EIA before commencing any projects, creating ecological corridors to allow wildlife to move safely and reduce habitat fragmentation; continuous monitoring and managing of human-wildlife conflicts through advisory services and the installation of wildlife traps for specific species and implementing public awareness programmes for workers at the ECRL construction sites among others.
Nik Nazmi said to assist residents affected by wildlife threats entering villages, they have been advised to install appropriate fencing around farms, animal enclosures, or residential areas and to install lights around homes at night to prevent wildlife from approaching residential areas among others.
Meanwhile, to ease the burden of victims involved in human-wildlife conflicts, victims or their families who are affected by cases involving injury or death could receive assistance under the Wild Animal Attack Victims Trust Fund through the Social Welfare Department.
He said the government, through NRES, has also introduced the Wildlife Damage Compensation and Crop Loss Assistance initiative in 2024, which provides one-off financial assistance to target groups, including villagers who suffer property and crop damage due to wildlife attacks.
As of Oct 31, 170 applicants have benefited from this initiative, with a total amount of RM608,000 distributed.