by Antonia Chiam. Posted on November 13, 2011, Sunday
KUCHING: Local communities have been reminded to always ensure an equilibrium between development and conservation prevails so that human activities do not destroy the environment that creates livelihood for them.
Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang stressed that they should make sure that whatever they consumed or used did not infringe on the environment.
“I urge all communities to take note of environmental sustainability when planning for development,” he said at a promotional campaign for Adan Rice yesterday.
He added that while development is essential, conservation must be taken into consideration.
“Without a sustainable environment, there will be no satisfaction with our own lives. When we sustain the environment, we sustain our unique cultures too,” he said, citing fresh air that attracts city folk to visit the highlands.
On Adan Rice, Ose said all products from the heart of Borneo should be promoted and their traditional production methods protected.
“Local communities must ensure the catchment areas and water supply are well managed and well maintained in order to conserve our own production of rice in the highlands.”
The campaign was part of efforts by World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF) and communities in the highlands of Sarawak and Sabah to promote the livelihoods of the local communities through sustainable small-scale agriculture.
This is done by developing specific and unique products from the highlands, such as Adan rice.
Adan rice is a local rice variety from the highlands of Borneo and is cultivated according to traditional methods by the Lun Bawang in Ba kelalan and Long Semadoh, the Kelabits in Bario, and the Lun Dayeh in Long Pasia, Sabah.
Its cultivation pays special attention on how it can affect the surrounding environment.
According to Ba’kelalan penghulu and Persatuan Masyarakat Adat Dataran Tinggi (Formadat) Sarawak and Sabah George Sigar Sultan, Adan rice had the finest grain and taste due to the elevation and the clear, unpolluted waters that irrigate the paddy fields in the highlands. There are three varieties: Adan Merah, Adan Putih and Adan Hitam.
“Harvesting is done at the end of December right until February. The seeds are planted once a year, and the rice takes 6 months to mature. With this promotional campaign, we hope that the general public will be more aware about this unique local rice, which is fresh, natural, and free from pesticides.”
Adan rice can be purchased at the booths during this two-day event which is supported by Bernas Corporation and Lun Bawang Association Sarawak.
No comments:
Post a Comment