KUALA LUMPUR: Several key measures are being implemented, including repopulating the forest with prey animals, to prevent human-wildlife conflict, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said the initiative was still in its initial stages and conducted in small batches.
"For instance, we are repopulating the forest with prey animals for tigers. But of course, one deer could cost about RM10,000," he told media practitioners attending the Concorde Club meeting on Monday (March 24).
The Concorde Club is an informal gathering of editors and senior journalists with politicians, policymakers and key opinion leaders.
Senior ministers and government leaders have previously been guests of the Concorde Club, led by Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.
Nik Nazmi added that the government had implemented wildlife crossings to allow safe road passages.
"For the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, it is almost entirely elevated, and in other places, there is also an issue with how we cut across plantation areas such as palm oil plantations.
"It has been done in a few places in Sabah where they cut across a few areas, where the landowners allow certain corridors for elephants to go through.
"It is a win-win situation," he said.
In addition, the government will continue to provide food banks for elephants, including the one in Johor.
"We also need to educate the public on how to co-exist with certain wildlife and to understand the risks," he said.
