The GEF Small Grants Programme

PEAT SWAMP FOREST REHABILITATION AT RAJA MUSA FOREST RESERVE THROUGH COMMUNITY ACTION

Raja Musa Forest Reserve (RMFR) is located in the north western part of Selangor. It is part of the North Selangor Peatswamp Forest (NSPSF) – which is the largest peat swamp forest complex in the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is approximately 25,656 ha in area cover and of this 1,000 ha was degraded due to illegal encroachment and frequent fire episodes. NSPSF plays an important role to the well-being of the local community who lived near the forest. Locally the NSPSF plays an important role in supplying water for domestic use (Tanjong Karang and Sekinchan); irrigating water for agricultural areas especially the rice fields and as well as source of protein (freshwater swamp fisheries). Project activities include formation of a stakeholders committee, capacity building of the local community in rehabilitation of degraded peat swamp area with water management, implementation of rehabilitation strategies, peat swamp forest awareness programme with the local community and dissemination of education materials, evaluation and monitoring of project activities for state and national communication. Local communities are the key stakeholders and they will be trained and engaged in the project. The local community will be involved in decision making, be mobilized and trained to take local action to conserve biodiversity and be prepared to combat the predicted impact of climate change such as forest fire and haze, which are related to GEF & SGP focal areas. Public education, improved stewardship, and integrated land management are required to ensure protection of the Selangor peatland. It is important that landowners and land users are knowledgeable and involved in making decisions regarding peatland to benefit both people and nature.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Pertubuhan Sahabat Hutan Gambut Selangor Utara

Country:

Malaysia

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity
Land Degradation

Operational Phase:

Phase 5

Grant Amount:

US$ 48,480.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 13,500.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 26,000.00

Project Number:

MAL/SGP/OP5/Y3/STAR/BD/13/07

Start Date:

2/2014

End Date:

8/2016

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Project sustainability

Local support and active participation of local people in restoration and management is directly aimed at facilitating local community responsibility for the area. Potential peat swamp forest degradation remains a threat to restored areas and local people’s continued stewardship will provide protection which institutional authorities may be unable to provide alone. Capacity building of FNSPSFA through a training and implementation programmes involving government partners and other stakeholders; • Organize community training on peatland water management and fire prevention in collaboration with Drainage and Irrigation Department and Fire & Rescue Department • Support initiative from FNSPSFA to develop sustainable ecotourism related to peat swamp forest and water including establishing an interpretative trail in Sungai Karang Forest Reserve with safety facilities (near to Agrotourism Homestay) & produce local hand crafts from peat swamp forest resources • Establish a network of community groups and organise an annual forum on community based natural resource management to exchange successful experience in ecosystem restoration and community livelihood.

Replication of project activities

The project will therefore be implemented not only focusing on local restoration, but on demonstration of, and provision of a documentary model for, community based peat swamp forest rehabilitation. In support of this, the project will: • Provide a documented model of low-cost hydrologic restoration of peat swamp forest, and the biodiversity based benefits provided through “natural regeneration”; • Provide documented models for local income generating livelihoods, complementary to peat swamp forest rehabilitation; • Provide a documented model on local collaborative peat swamp forest management; • Publish models in appropriate media; participate in fora to extend findings; and to convene a specific regional workshop aimed at replication through promotion of the projects principals, approach and techniques.

Planning non gef grant

The project will work closely with the Federal and State Forestry Department. This means that the project will be able to link closely with the ongoing work of Forestry Department to develop and implement the peat swamp forest rehabilitation strategy for the state and country. Linkages will be developed or strengthened between the selected villages and community and the Forestry Department and local authorities so that after the project period, collaborative activities can continue and the community groups (Sahabat Hutan Gambut Selangor Utara) can be updated on new development in terms of peat swamp ecosystem & peatland line forest rehabilitation. • The Global Environment Centre will continue to provide periodic input to the groups in the project area following the project period and will link the local groups with GEC’s national network which links community-based forest projects in Malaysia • Linkages will be enabled between community and with relevant government agencies who can continue to support livelihood activities • Expand the project activities to new villages around the area and/or other part of peat swamp forest in Selangor

Notable Community Participation

This is project is being undertaken by the local communities (through Friends of North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest Association. Hence, participation of local communities is ensured.

Project Results

The Conservation programme in Raja Musa Forest Reserve (RMFR) was introduced in 2010 aims to stop peatland forest fires, haze and help to prevent global warming. While the objective of the tree planting programme is to help the forest to create its forest cover which prevents encroachment into the forest, thus reducing the risk of fire. Under this project funded by GEF-SGP, there were 29,635 ha of degraded peat swamp forest rehabilitated with planting of more than 17,383 trees by the local communities / Friends of North Selangor Peat Swam Forest Association (FNSPSFA). The species were used for creating the forest cover / replanting are consist of Euodia spp (tenggek burung) and Macarangga spp. (Mahang).

Restoration of its hydrological regime at RMFR is critical and this can be done by keeping the peat soil wet, preventing further decomposition and peat soil subsidence and reducing the risk for fires. This process requires raising or maintaining the water table through blocking of canals at the area.

Canal blocking has been undertaken inside and outside of the forest reserve to prevent further drainage of the area. It was done manually by using bags filled with peat/ sand and supported by mangrove poles. FNSPSFA and local communities worked to block drains outside of the forest area in the adjacent oil palm and agricultural land. Total 11 of canal blockings were constructed adjacent to Forest Reserve (buffer zone). The purpose of canal blocking is to raise the water level and wetting the peat soil; so, that, the peat fire risk will decrease. While, the construction of canal block also useful during the fire accident because it will act as supplier for water resources to suppress the fire.

Total 20 of piezometers were installed at parit 1 – 16 (inside and outside the forest reserve) The purpose of this installation to monitor and determine the depth and movement of water tables within and immediately below the peat soil profile within forest reserve & adjacent land (buffer zone). Water-levels in peat can fluctuate rapidly especially during rainy or dry seasons. The data collected by monitoring and patrolling team.

FNSPSFA was actively involved in the forest patrolling and monitoring activity around the RMFR and its vicinity to monitor and prevent from any peatland wildfire occurrences. They work closely with GEC and Selangor Forestry Department personnel & Fire & Rescue Department personnel; started to actively monitor since early- March when various fire prone area were detected within RMFR and its vicinity. This early action been prevented on the fire occurrence.

FNSPSFA can produce attractive handicrafts made of peat tree stumps, rattan, bamboo and pandanus leaves. Handicraft include mat, baskets, Batik painting and minicraft. FNSPSFA Mini Handicraft Stall were established to promote and sale the FNSPSFA handy craft products. It’s managed by FNSPSFA member from Kg. Ampangan and located in Agrotourism Homestay Sungai Sireh, Tanjung Karang, Kuala Selangor.

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