Bandar Seri Begawan - A group of wildlife researchers from the 1stopBrunei Wildlife Club comprising mainly undergraduates from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) are struggling with their aim of undertaking a research project - which involves collecting information on Brunei's flora and fauna for the purpose of establishing a modern database - due to financial difficulties.

The club was formed by a young conservationist and 'young citizen scientists' who want to protect the forest while learning more about both plant and animal life endemic to the Sultanate.

According to one of the club founders, Shavez Cheema, "The huge project which will take one-and-a-half years to complete is meant to record down wildlife and plants in order to establish an updated database for the country.

"We hope to educate the public on conservation through an awareness-building porgramme. The project is supposed to begin this month, however, we hit a snag due to a lack of funding, which is needed for transportation and accommodation."

Shavez Cheema added, "We need more than B$20,000 to complete this massive project. The team of students will be accompanied by three professors from UBD to guide the project. We plan to also document the project and publish a documentary, books and leaflets to raise awareness on many hidden wildlife and plants in our forest."

Shavez Cheema has requested the assistance and aid of both corporate and private organisations to help in the project. Interested organisations can contact the club via email at 1stopbrunei@gmaiLcom.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin