The project focuses on the long-term protection and rehabilitation of the Bukit Belata (Extension) Forest Reserve (BBEFR) which covers an area of 3,140ha of lowland dipterocarp and peat swamp forest, in the SE portion of the NSPSF. This forest reserve is facing increasing challenges from drainage, fire and degradation linked to the development of small-scale plantations and agriculture along its boundary as well as encroachment and drainage within the reserve.  More than 350ha  of forest and peatland in BBEFR have been degraded by fires, drainage and encroachment in recent years.

The project is working directly with the targeted local communities at the selected site to establish mechanisms and incentives for their involvement in the conservation and sustainable use of the resource. The project will be managed under the framework of the MoU between GEC and the Selangor State Government (2016-2023) for multi-stakeholder engagement in the protection and rehabilitation of forests in Selangor.

Find out more about the project.

Read the Joint Statement on Establishment of Partnership between Prosper Palm Oil Mill Sdn Bhd and GEC.

Duration: March 2020 - 2023

Funder: Prosper Capital Holdings Sdn Bhd

Aim/objective:

The immediate objective of Phase 1 of the project (April 2020- March 2023) is to develop and implement a specific forest and peatland protection and rehabilitation programme for BBEFR with the following sub-objectives:

1. To develop a rehabilitation strategy for all the degraded forest and peatland in the BBEFR; 
2. To rewet and initiate rehabilitation of at least 200 ha of degraded peatland and forest;
3. To prevent future fires and degradation throughout the BBEFR, in partnership with local communities and stakeholders. 

Project Activities:

• To assess location and scale of degradation at the identified forest compartment areas.
• Rehabilitation of 200 ha through rewetting and assisted natural regeneration and selected planting in priority portions of the Bukit Belata (Extension) Forest Reserve.
• Enhance the understanding of community and stakeholders on peat hydrology, sustainable management on peatland and fire prevention with local communities and landowners.

For more information about the project, please e-mail us at outreach@gec.org.my