Conservation of Peatland Biodiversity in South East Asia (Phase II)

Duration: Dec 08 – Nov 09

Funders: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity/GEC

The second year of this project followed up on actions taken in the first phase and focused on practical actions to support the implementation of the APMS and NAPs and also follow through specific items to address management issues identified in Year 1. The overall goal of the Project is to improve conservation of peatland biodiversity in South East Asia by enhancing partnerships, capacity and knowledge of key stakeholders and contribute to the 2010 Biodiversity Target. Its immediate objective is to develop regional guidelines for peatland biodiversity conservation and support ASEAN Member States in the implementation of APMS and NAPs. The Project worked within the framework of the APMS to further advance the finalization and endorsement of the National Action Plans on Peatlands in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Viet Nam. For the northern ASEAN region, support was provided to Myanmar to build capacity among the government agencies for peatland assessment and to carry out rapid assessments in peatland areas, information that will help identify the important peatland areas in the country to develop the NAP. The implementation of the APMS at regional level was also be shared through enhanced information exchange and communication through websites, e-groups and other communication channels, which are currently being enhanced. Another important activity to implement the APMS is the initiation of the peatland conservation measures at key sites; the Project focused at the North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest (NSPSF) and the Rokan Peninsula Peatlands in Riau province in Sumatra. Both these sites are threatened by agriculture and plantation development and associated drainage and fires. The Project will also elaborate a regional framework and guidelines for peatland biodiversity conservation to reduce the impacts on large scale development of plantations on peatlands.