The current intense dry season of peat swamp forests as well as degradation is leading to fires. Recognising that some areas of peat swamp forest in Selangor and Pahang have been degraded, GEC forms a partnership with Yayasan Bursa and collaborates with Selangor State Forestry Department (SSFD), Sahabat Hutan Gambut Kampung Tanjung Kelapa (SHGKTK) to rehabilitate the forest and reduce risks of forest fire.
This project focuses on engaging local Orang Asli community to get involved in the rehabilitation process and empower them on the best management practices for peat swamp forest. Through empowerment, the project is also designed to develop a potential alternative source of livelihood for the Orang Asli community through various activities and programmes.
Aim/objective:
- A degraded portion of Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) and South East Pahang Peat Swamp Forest (SEPPSF) are rehabilitated through rewetting and planting of 8 hectares of forest trees.
- The fire prone areas in KLNFR are monitored and patrolled by OA community during dry season.
- The OA community in Tanjung Kelapa receives basic needs support, including safe portable water source, for eg. Solar-powered pump to pump groundwater.
- Communities in KLNFR & SEPPSF are involved in alternative low carbon livelihoods, eg. handicrafts, tree nursery, honey, etc.
Project Achievements:
Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR)
- A nursery is established at KLNFR runs by the Sahabat Hutan Gambut Kuala Langat Utara (SHGKLU). The nursery has sown and raised 3,000 saplings.
- Tree planting activity has been carried out continuously. As of April, 2019, SGHKLU has successfully planted 1,800 tree saplings (bought from SHGKLU nursery) on 3 hectares of degraded area in KLNFR.
- The patrolling and monitoring activities are actively carried out by SHGKLU members, especially in updating the Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS) signboards and water level monitoring as well as reporting any illegal activities encroachment and prevent any unwanted incident to fire prone area.
- The SHGKLU women are actively involved in producing handicraft from non-timber forest products. Currently, they are in the process of getting the local market to buy the product.
South East Pahang Peat Swamp Forest (SEPPSF)
- Tree nursery was constructed aligned with proposed planting activity starting in June
- Trainings on honey kelulut and weaving from mengkuang was provided to interested communities.
Basic needs support for the Tanjung Kelapa Orang Asli community
- Global Peace Foundation has been providing water filters to all houses in the villages and distributed 25 sets of solar light equipped with charging capability.
