Dry and over drained peat swamp forests are prone to fire. Recognising that some areas of peat swamp forest in Pekan (Extension) Forest Reserve have been degraded, GEC entered a partnership with the Forestry Department and Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JAKOA) to rehabilitate the forest and reduce risks of forest fire. 

Collaborating with various funders, government agencies, corporates and local communities, this programme focuses on engaging the local Orang Asli communities, the Jakun tribe, to get involved in the rehabilitation process and empower them on best management practices for peat swamp forest. This project also aims to develop alternative sources of livelihood for them through various initiatives and programmes. 

Aim/objective:

• Increase water level at degraded peat swamp areas through installation of canal block.
• Replanting trees at degraded peat swamp areas.
• Establish a Peat Community with Orang Asli involvement to tackle peatland management issues.
• Conduct programmes/activities that help provide alternative livelihood for the Orang Asli.

Funders: Yayasan Bursa (through its Bursa Bull Charge, 2019-2020), IOI Plantation (2018-2019), Bunge Loders Croklaan (2019), United Nations Development Program (UNDP, 2020-ongoing) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD, 2019-ongoing)

Partners: Pahang State Forestry Department, Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JAKOA), Sahabat Hutan Gambut Kampung Tanjung Kelapa (SHGKTK), Pekan District Office, Department of Agriculture and Department of Fisheries

Progress:

• A tree planting programme was conducted on the 15th July 2019 at degraded landscape of peatland where it caught fires on September 2018. A total of 250 seedlings of Macaranga pruinosa (Mahang) were planted by 26 participants from Sahabat Hutan Gambut Kampung Tanjung Kelapa (SHGKTK) along with IOI Bukit Leelau Estate. (Photos)
• 136 ha of degraded area has been rewetted after a month of the canal block construction.
• A patroller has been appointed in Kampung Simpai to monitor the degraded area in Nenasi (Extension) Forest Reserve.
• 5 Fire Danger Rating Systems (FDRS) installed.
• 22 villagers participated in a training on sustainable peatland management with focus on water management and the FDRS at Kampung Simpai.
• 405 individuals of insects from 19 different species were collected from arthropod survey in rehabilitated peatland area in Kg Tanjung Kelapa cluster.

Rehabilitation of degraded peatland with Indigenous Community in Pahang – Canal Blocking

Together with funders and partners, GEC has been rehabilitating the degraded area by collaborating with the Jakuns living adjacent to the forest by building and maintaining canal blocks that function to raise water table and reduce risk of peat fire. Since the intervention, there has been no fires detected.  

Peatland Rehabilitation with Indigenous Community in Pahang – Alternative Livelihood through Kelulut Honey

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While we empower the local communities on best management practices for peat swamp forest, we also hope to develop a potential alternative source of livelihood for them through various initiatives to improve their living condition. So, we initiated stingless bee (kelulut) honey farming with the locals while recognising the symbiosis of bees and smoke-free environment. 

Peatland Rehabilitation with Indigenous Community in Pahang – Alternative Livelihood through Backyard Nursery

Mahang (Macaranga spp.) is one of the pioneer tree species in peatland and it is suitable for enhancement planting in degraded peatland areas. Watch how Mak Nyap successfully establish Mahang nursery at her own backyard while earns alternative income and contributing significant impact to the rehabilitation of degraded peatland areas adjacent to her home. 

Peatland Rehabilitation with Indigenous Community in Pahang – Community-based Fire Prevention Patrollers

One of GEC’s initiatives to prevent peat forest fire is by hiring patrollers consisting of local Indigenous Communities living adjacent to the peatland. Watch the video to see how the local communities are involved directly in preventing the peatland fire. 

Peatland Rehabilitation with Indigenous Community in Pahang – Weaving Mengkuang Handicrafts

Sabariah who lives adjacent to the Pekan (Extension) Forest Reserve within the Southeast Pahang Peat Swamp Forest (SEPPSF) has been empowered to weave mengkuang handicrafts. This initiative aims to make them become self-sustainable while preserving the peatland area that is abundant with mengkuang plants of Pandanus species. Watch the video on how Sabariah makes her mengkuang handicrafts. 

Peatland Rehabilitation with Indigenous Community in Pahang – Solar System (Electricity and Water)

To enhance the living conditions of local indigenous community in Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia, GEC with technical support from TONIBUNG, installed 2-in-1 solar-powered system that can both generate electricity and pump water from underground. As we engage them on sustainable peatland management initiatives, we also support their welfare needs. 

For more information about the project and how you can get involved, e-mail us at outreach@gec.org.my