SHAH ALAM: The National Hornbill Day must become an annual nationwide celebration that sparks a powerful movement for awareness, action and collaboration in conservation, says Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Speaking at the launch of the inaugural National Hornbill Day today, Nik Nazmi said the event plays a crucial role in advancing conservation, cultural, and environmental awareness.
Its objectives, he said, include highlighting the importance of hornbill conservation, celebrating biodiversity, fostering national pride in Malaysia's natural heritage, promoting ecotourism, strengthening conservation policies, and encouraging educational initiatives.
Nik Nazmi said the recognition is the first of its kind globally, marking a historic milestone.
He also hoped that Malaysia's National Hornbill Day will evolve into an international event, shining a spotlight on the vital "gardeners of the forest" and their critical role in sustaining ecosystems worldwide.
"But much more needs to be done. The challenges we face today stem from a deeper, spiritual problem—our misplaced priorities. We are putting profits ahead of the planet and its people," he said at the event, held at the Elmina Sales Gallery here.
The event, spearheaded by Yayasan Sime Darby in collaboration with Gaia, a social enterprise dedicated to environmental conservation, aims to shine a spotlight on the preservation of Malaysia's hornbills in their natural habitats. Gaia's efforts focus on research, education and the promotion of sustainable conservation practices to protect these iconic birds.
At the same time, Nik Nazmi also announced his ministry's plans to establish a Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Centre in Kuala Lumpur, with a location already identified.
He called on corporate stakeholders to collaborate with the government to bring this visionary project to life.
"Malaysia is home to an impressive one-fifth of all known animal species in the world—a truly remarkable feat," he said.
"Despite being a small country in many respects, we are rich in biodiversity and play a significant role in global climate mitigation and adaptation.
