Strengthening Coastal Resilience Through Community-Based Mangrove Rehabilitation in Bengkalis and Siak Regencies, Riau Province, Indonesia

The project aimed to conserve and support ongoing rehabilitation of 50 hectares of degraded areas in Forest Compartment 32 and 70 of Raja Musa Forest Reserve.  The project directly addresses one of Sime Darby Foundation’s key priorities – namely the protection and preservation of the high conservation value ecosystem is protected.

The project focuses on the long-term protection and rehabilitation of the Bukit Belata (Ext.) Forest Reserve (BBEFR), which covers an area of 3,140ha of lowland dipterocarp and peat swamp forest, in the SE portion of the NSPSF. The project works directly with the targeted local communities at the selected site to establish mechanisms for their involvement in the conservation and sustainable use of the resource and assisting the Selangor State Forestry Department in enhancing engagement of local communities in the implementation of the Integrated Management Plan for North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest (2014-2023).

This project has resulted in the establishment of a local community group who are aware and concerned about the peat swamp forest degradation issues called Friends of North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest (FNSPSF); and development of peatland environmental education programme called Peatland Forest Ranger, to educate school children on the importance of environmental protection on peat swamp forest.

The project focuses on rehabilitating degraded mangrove areas in Tebuk Mendeleng, Sabak Bernam, through community-based tree planting and maintenance activities.