The Sungai Buloh Forest Reserve in the state of Selangor is Peninsular Malaysia's oldest forest reserve. Is was gazatted in 1898 and has since then served as a national research plot for lowland rainforest habitat, rich in natural trees and plant species. Selangor is one of the most developed states in the country and has less than 5 million residents. Its green spaces and forests are critical, especially the Kota Damansara Community Forest reserve (KDCFR) which helps to make up the 3 percent of land area in Selangor with remaining recreational forest cover.

When the forest lost its reserved status, there was intention to convert the whole area for property development. GEF SGP Malaysia had supported two other projects which had raised the awareness of the resident communities and the public to be actively involved in managing and developing the forest park, not only for the conservation of biodiversity but also to cater to the urban communities' need for recreational spaces and environmental education. Urban resident communities and nature lovers participated in the activities supported by the projects, led to the temporary protection of the forest from conversion to housing areas to the establishment of the Kota Damansara Community Forest Park.

This SGP grant awarded to the Damansara Residency Residents' Association (DRRA) Committee, who continued effortlessly to achieve the following key objectives and results;
1. To develop a biodiversity-oriented management plan of the Kota Damansara forest.
- A Biodiversity Assessmentand Forest Management was conducted to provide additional knowledge to aid conservation planning and zoning of the KDCFR to enhance the 2006 Management Plan as it identified issues that need to be addresses such as protection of the threatened species, the incidence of hunting, and managing potential problems from the monkey population. The studies undertaken included mapping of plant conservation areas to protect 2 endemic species found within the reserve, camera trapping to ascertain the wildlife species found within the forest, and distribution of forest types and quality of cover in order to prescribe rehabilitation efforts. The overall conclusion of the report is that there is still sufficient biodiversity within the KDCFR to make it significant for conservation and research.

2. To promote the use of the need of all segments of society including the disadvantaged and special interest groups.
- Development of Trails:- significant progress has been made in developing a network of sustainable low-impact trails in the forest in order to make the forest more accessible to a range of user groups.Trails were constructed to follow the lay of the land with minimal disturbance to the forest setting, designed to withstand erosion andregular use will also help to strengthen and stabilise the trails.
- Development of environmental interpretation for lakeside trail:- Aside from restoring the existing trail affected by a severe storm, the trail has now been realigned to improve drainage and ease of access and safety. Directional signage posts marking education Interpretation Station along the trails
- Co-funding contribution also provided for the installation of a wakaf (rest stop) as well as the replacement of a foot bridge.

3. To harness the traditional knowledge and expertise of Orang Asli (indigenous groups) for medicinal plant conservation.
- An in-situ ethnobotanical garden has been set up to showcase Temuan (local indigenous people) knowledge of plants. In addition to playing an education role by representing the way in which indigenous peoples utilise their knowledge of wild plants, the process of developing the garden is equally important as it is a means of reawakening interest among the more urbanised Temuan youth about their rich heritage of traditional ecological knowledge. More than 100 useful plants has been documented by Tahak sipew, who serves as the orang asli plant expert and trainer on this project. Signages have been installed at the entrance of the ethnobotanical garden.

4. To develop the first model system for the local resident expert groups to be involved in conservation of biodiversity in local parks and open spaces which may be replicated elsewhere in Malaysia.
- Regular liaison through meetings and consultations with the Forestry Department, and local council.

5. Use the park facilities to generate income towards sustainability of the park in the long term.