KUCHING: The newly established Bako Research Station at Bako National Park near will enable researchers to conduct more in-depth biodiversity and climate-related studies, said Datuk Len Talif Salleh.

The Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment said the research station, which will be utilised primarily by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), represents a significant step forward in enhancing research collaboration and advancing Sarawak’s conservation and sustainability agenda.

“This is a historic day for us. While the research station is located within Bako National Park, we hope its use will extend beyond the park’s boundaries, particularly to the surrounding ecosystems such as the nearby mudflats and Kuching Wetlands Ramsar Site,” he told reporters after officiating at the station’s launch at the national park here yesterday.

Gazetted in 1957 as Sarawak’s first national park, Bako covers 2,742 hectares at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula and is renowned for its rich biodiversity. The park is also part of the Sarawak Delta Geopark, which recently underwent final evaluation for the Unesco Global Geopark status.

Len Talif said the dynamic nature of biodiversity within the park reinforces the need for continuous research, especially in light of growing environmental challenges such as climate change.

“We already have extensive data collected over the years, but because biodiversity here is dynamic, we need to continue monitoring changes and understand how climate change impacts the environment and wildlife ― not just here but across Sarawak,” he said.

He also called for greater community involvement in research-related efforts, particularly in areas such as the mudflats where local residents depend on natural resources such as ‘ambal’ (razor clams) for their livelihoods.

“I have proposed meaningful engagement between Unimas and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) to see how the community here can benefit. This is to ensure proper mudflat management where research outcomes can be utilised by students or any experts interested in this area,” he said.

Len Talif highlighted Bako’s potential as a hub for cross-disciplinary and international research, urging universities beyond Unimas to explore collaboration opportunities with SFC.

“Unimas and SFC can form a strong synergy and elevate Sarawak’s visibility on the international stage.

“With the right partnerships, we can turn this into a gold standard research hub ― supporting not just academic excellence but also better park management and conservation outcomes,” he added.

He emphasised that public education is crucial to dispel misconceptions about national parks, particularly the belief that gazetting an area for conservation deprives local communities of opportunities.

 

“Many do not realise that national parks bring long-term benefits, not only for the ecosystem but also for the people who live in or around them. This is why education and outreach are key,” he stressed.

Earlier, Unimas vice chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit said Bako Research Station marks the university’s first facility, a result of ongoing collaboration between Unimas and SFC.

“This research station plays a vital role in Unimas’ plan to elevate the Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBEC) into a Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) under the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, and to establish it as a Biodiversity NEXUS not just nationally, but globally,” he said.

He said that the station strengthens the role of Unimas and Sarawak as leaders in biodiversity research and environmental conservation, particularly in the context of tropical forest ecosystems.

“The strategic location within Bako National Park will serve as a field research hub not only in biodiversity, but also for sociocultural studies and sustainable tourism.

“With this station in place, researchers will be able to carry out field data collection more efficiently,” he said.

He added that the station will serve not only Unimas students and lecturers but also international researchers and other relevant external agencies as a reference and training site.

“I am confident that this initiative will be the foundation for many impactful research endeavours contributing not only to academic advancement but also to the preservation of Sarawak’s natural heritage,” said Dr Ahmad Hata.

Also present at the launch were Unimas Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie and SFC general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran.