30 April 2019 (Tuesday) – Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) organised ‘Biodiversity Talk: Conservation on Avifauna in Malaysia’ at the FRIM Auditorium, Kepong yesterday. The programme aimed to raise public awareness on avifauna conservation as well as to share, discussions issues related to avifauna in Malaysia.

Abd Latif delivering his opening speech.	From left: Ismail, Mohammad Shahfiz, Azlina and Yeap making their respective presentations.

The programme, held in conjunction with the Earth Day Celebration, was officiated by FRIM Director General Dato’ Dr Abd Latif Mohmod. Also present was FRIM Forest Biodiversity Director Dr Lillian Chua.

Interesting topics presented by the speakers were:

• ‘Bird Conservation and Enforcement Activities’ by Ismail Mamat from Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) Peninsular Malaysia;
• ‘Importance of Avifauna Research in Malaysia’ (FRIM Zoology Branch Head Mohammad Shahfiz Azman);
• ‘Wings of KKB (Profiting to the State or Vice Versa)’ (Hulu Selangor District Council Town Planning Department Director Azlina Mokhtar); and
• ‘Landscape Management towards Hornbill Conservation’ (Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Senior Conservation Officer Yeap Chin Aik).

The programme was attended by 120 participants from 37 agencies including government departments, non-governmental organisations and academia such as the Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources (KATS), PERHILITAN, state forestry departments, National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC), MNS, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Global Environment Centre (GEC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Sime Darby, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) etc.

Chua (left) and FRIM nature guide Anuar Ab Majid raising some questions during the Q&A session.	All participants and the organisers posing for a group picture with Abd Latif (front row, middle).

At the discussion session, the speakers and participants discussed way forward and research opportunities in efforts to ensure the conservation of avifauna in the country.