Johor bahru: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has introduced the Community Module for Wildlife Protection, designed to equip local communities in Johor with the necessary skills and safety procedures to handle human-wildlife conflict issues, as announced in the Johor State Assembly today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Environment and Health Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon outlined the module's components, which include an introduction to key wildlife species, the use of approved deterrent tools, and protocols for reporting and early warnings to Perhilitan. The initiative will train community members to form organized groups in specific areas, enabling them to act as support teams during community patrols.

Ling emphasized that the communities will be trained to promptly relay information and conduct early deterrent actions in line with Perhilitan's standard operating procedures (SOP). This initiative aims to enhance preparedness and awareness among communities situated in high-risk wildlife conflict zones, particularly in Johor.

Responding to a query from Hahasrin Hashim (BN-Panti) about the state government's plans for using drones and night patrols for early detection, Ling (BN-Yong Peng) noted that the module's implementation is expected to positively impact the management of wildlife conflicts. The effort is part of a collaborative management strategy between government agencies and the community to ensure both human safety and biodiversity sustainability.

Ling expressed confidence that through this initiative, early detection, community warnings, and responses to wildlife conflicts can be significantly improved. This aligns with the state government's objective to enhance the sustainable and effective management of human-wildlife conflicts.