Webinar: Tasik Chini – A Case Study Of Our Eco Hopes & A Disaster In The Making
Organized by Badan Warisan Malaysia
Live Webinar Details
Speaker: Andrew Sebastian
Moderator: Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Abdul Latiff Mohamad
Date: Saturday, 17 July 2021
Time: 4:00PM (Kuala Lumpur, GMT+8)
Free Admission.
ABOUT THE TALK
Tasik Chini is one of only 2 natural lakes system in Peninsular Malaysia and due to its high biological diversity of plants and wildlife, it became internationally recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Preserve in 2009. There are over 714 of these unique preserves in the world with only 2 recognised in Malaysia. The government (federal and Pahang state) immediately spent taxpayers’ money to develop and promote this place as the country’s iconic tourism & ecotourism site, as well as to protect and preserve the lifestyle and livelihood of the indigenous Jakun tribe that lives in this landscape. However, things have not panned out well for the local community, the environment of Tasik Chini and Malaysia. So, what is going on there?
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
ANDREW SEBASTIAN is an accomplished naturalist, environmentalist and an established certified professional nature and bird guide for 20 years. Andrew actively leads tours in the region including Sulawesi, Sumatra & Papua. A law graduate, Andrew has devoted more than two decades in environmental and ecotourism issues through his work with numerous NGOs. He credits his passion for nature to his childhood growing up in the dense forest of the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM). Andrew has served and initiated numerous conservation and awareness campaigns, which included the landmark protection of the Royal Belum State Park back in 2006.
He co-founded the Asian Bird Fair Network, which has grown to be one of the largest birdwatching events in the world. He also co-founded the Wild Bird Club of Malaysia (WBCM), Tangkoko Bird Club (Indonesia) and Wild Bird Club of Singapore. He is attributed as a major influencer in the conversation and ecotourism field and is the brand ambassador for Leica. Andrew is the President & CEO of Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY) and is a subject matter expert for Tourism Malaysia for over 10 years.
MODERATOR
Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Abdul Latiff Mohamad is a pioneer in the research of plant taxonomy and conservation biology. His almost 40 years of research on Malaysian flora, plant taxonomy and biodiversity has led to the advancement of knowledge that includes the understanding of the science of taxonomy and conservation biology and, also, the importance, value and benefits of environmental conservation in Malaysia. He has been the Executive Council Member for the Asian Network for Biological Science; Member of the Scientific Committee for Botany, Pacific Science Association and also the Multi-lateral Steering Committee for Plant Resources of South East Asia (PROSEA).
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