Works ministry to expand collaboration with NRES in an effort to improve wildlife protection in Malaysia

The works ministry (KKR) and the natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry (NRES) are set to enhance their cooperation in efforts to protect wildlife across the country, The Sun reports.

According to works minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, the topic of human-wildlife conflict was one of the key points discussed during a joint meeting held yesterday with NRES minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. He said that following the meeting, both ministries have agreed to step up collaboration in this area.

Nanta said the recent incident where a baby elephant died after it was hit by a trailer on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway highlighted the urgent need for improved measures to better protect wildlife. “Under the supervision of the KKR, I emphasize that the use of technology in road infrastructure will be expanded,” he said.

On May 13, Nanta said in a Facebook post that the works ministry had collaborated with Perhilitan to install street lights at 39 hotspot locations for wild elephant crossings around Pahang, Kelantan, Kedah, Perak and Johor, at a cost of RM4 million.

He added that the ministry had been working on several initiatives, including the construction of wildlife crossings such as eco-viaducts and underpass tunnels in hotspots identified as migration routes for elephants and other wildlife. Locations for these include the West Coast expressway, East Coast expressway (LPT2), Central Spine Road (LTU) and the KL-Karak highway, among others.

Separately, transport minister Anthony Loke said last week that his ministry is aiming to light up highway accident hotspots, including the one on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway, and look into aspects of wildlife safety on railway lines such as the ongoing Gemas-Johor Bahru rail project.

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