KUCHING, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- For urban residents, the incessant chirping from bird's nest farming is hardly music to the ears.

The noise pollution caused by the feathered species has left the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) bombarded with numerous complaints from irate residents here, Mukah, Sibu, Sarikei and Bintulu.

Nevertheless, the SFC has begun a crackdown on unlicensed bird's nest farming in Mukah and was tackling the complaints.

State assistant minister for planning and resource management Naroden Majais said today that these included educating and disseminating information on how to obtain a licence to carry out the farming.

He was replying to Andy Chia Chu Fatt (BN-Pujut) on plans to regulate the growing industry for the benefit of investors and the general public at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting here.

He said that while there were an estimated 1,500 bird's nest farmers, the authorities could issue notices to only 126 in Mukah, Sibu, Sarikei and Bintulu to relocate to proper places and apply for licences.

Majais said that two out of the total 44 applications for licences were approved, adding that to ensure public and environmental safety, the government banned its farming in town buildings and suburban areas.

Meanwhile, Tourism Assistant Minister Hamden Ahmad said the 'Malaysia, My Second Home Programme' in Sarawak was showing encouraging signs, with a total of 314 participants to date, in view of the various incentives given by the state government.

The number of approved applicants over the past three years has increased, registering 49 participants in 2006 and 102 last year, he told Aidan Wing (BN-Lambir).

He said the top five markets were United kingdom (94 participants), Taiwan (61), Indonesia (33), Singapore (22) and the United States (15).

Source:  BERNAMA

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