GEC believes that enhancing the capacity of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) is key to addressing the global crises related to climate change and biodiversity loss. This project aims to empower IPLCs engaged with GEC on forest rehabilitation efforts and ensure their active involvement in land and natural resources management in Malaysia. 

Through the funding from the Airbnb Community Fund, the project will work with these IPLCs nationwide to address the land degradation problems faced by them in the varied targeted landscapes including i.e. forests – both peatland and mangrove, and to tackle water resources degradation.

Duration: 2023 – 2024 (2 years)

Funder: Airbnb Community Fund

Partner(s): Selangor State Forestry Dept, Selangor DID, National Landscape Dept., BKSA Melaka, Sabah Forestry Dept, Sarawak Forest Dept

Objectives:

Overall: To empower GEC’s Community Network towards Forest Stewardship

Specific:

• Establish and empower GEC’s Community network
• Support conservation of forests and peatlands through local community
• Awareness raising and education programme on forest and water resource protection, connectivity and management

Key Activities:

The project will work with GEC’s community groups from more than 25 locations to strengthen them in community-based sustainable forest and water resources management. 

The project will also target the public and the youth. In addition, the project will support actions in targeted locations as follows:

• Tree-planting activities in different states including Selangor (Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve and Kg Dato Hormat), and Melaka (Durian Tunggal Water Reservoir).
• Kuala Lumpur - Sg Penchala Open Classroom (Keladi Trail) at Bukit Kiara. Sg Penchala Open Classroom is the source of Penchala River, one of the key tributaries of Klang River. The Sg Penchala Open Classroom, established by GEC in partnership with various partners with the area are currently under the jurisdiction and management of Malaysian National Landscape Department (JLN). 
• Sabah – To support peat land and forest protection through community-based fire prevention measures in Klias Peninsula.
• Sarawak – To support the development of a conservation programme in the Kelabit Highlands in Bario to protect forests and peatlands in partnership with local community and Pulong Tau National Park.

For more infomation on the project, please contact outreach@gec.org.my .