Technical Assistance and Knowledge Exchange for Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems in Malaysia (TAKE-SMPEM)

Technical Assistance and Knowledge Exchange for Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems in Malaysia (TAKE-SMPEM) project is designed to provide technical assistance for project implementation to the Global Environment Facility 6 (GEF6) SMPEM. 

The project aims to provide strategic technical guidance to support the development of policies, plans, guidelines and investment frameworks for sustainable peatland management (SPM) in Malaysia. In addition, the project will facilitate engagement of non-state actors (private sector, civil society organisations and local communities) in sustainable peatland management and alternative livelihoods in the targeted peatland landscapes, and support multi-stakeholder engagement and partnership. 

Note: Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems in Malaysia (SMPEM)” is a four-year project executed by the Government of Malaysia and under the supervision of Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. The project aims to strengthen national policy and institutional capacity for implementing peatland related strategies and plans and to enhance integrated sustainable peatland management in targeted landscapes.

Duration: 2019 - 2024

Funder: 

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Project Goal: To provide technical assistance for the sustainable management of peatlands in Malaysia, and facilitate SPM knowledge exchange in Southeast Asia and with Africa through SSTC.

Project Development Objectives: 

Project Sites:

1. Selangor - North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest (NSPSF)

Map of NSPSF showing forest types.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Selangor - South Selangor Peatland Landscape (SSPL)

Map of South Selangor peatland landscape (SSPL) which covers
50,000 ha.

 

 

 

 

 


 

3. Pahang - Southeast Pahang Peatland Landscape (SEPPL) 

Map of Southeast Pahang Peat Swamp Forest (Source: Pahang State Forestry Department, 2017) which comprises 230,000ha of peatlands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Sabah - Klias Peninsula Peatland Landscape (KPPL)

Land use at Klias Peninsula Peatland Landscape [Note: oil palm (pink), peat swamp forest and mangrove (dark green), dryland forest (pale green), degraded grassland (yellow)]

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

5. Sarawak - Maludam Peninsula Peatland Landscape (MPPL) 

Map of Maludam National Park with locations of the villages. It is the largest Totally Protected Peat Swamp Forest in Sarawak gazetted in May, 2000. 

 

 

 

 

 


Publications


Activities:

Initiated engagement with local farmers in Kampung Takuli 2 in Beaufort, Sabah to promote sustainable agriculture practices.

 

Provided local pineapple farmers at Kampung Takuli 2 in Beaufort, Sabah a shredder machine in efforts to support their sustainable agriculture practices. Previously on these community farms, located mostly in peatlands, discarded pineapple plants were usually burnt. Now, with the use of the shredder, the pineapple waste will be turned into fertiliser.

 

Initiated engagement with the local indigenous community from the Jakun tribe to support the sustainable livelihood in peatland management in Southeast Pahang Peatland Landscape.

Construction of 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.  

 

Empowerment on 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. Mak Nyap (local indigenous community) successfully establish a Mahang nursery at her own backyard while earning side income and contributing significant impact to the rehabilitation of degraded peatland areas adjacent to her home. 

 

Community-based Fire Prevention Patrollers

One of GEC’s initiatives to prevent peat forest fire is by hiring patrollers consisting of local Indigenous Communities (both male and female) living adjacent to the peatland. The patrolling teams have been undertaking monitoring activities in the peatland area on daily basis, recording water levels and updating the warning on the Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS) signboards.

 

Empowerment on 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. 

 

Empowerment on Alternative Livelihood through 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. 

 

Enhancing the Living Conditions by Installing 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. 

 

Peat conservation and rehabilitation initiatives in Sabah, Malaysia

Community-based patrolling at the boundary of Binsuluk Forest Reserve, Sabah

Community-based patrolling is one of the fire prevention initiatives that GEC and partners are implementing to prevent forest and land fires on peatlands including at Binsuluk Forest Reserve in Sabah.

Introducing MyGAP initiative to local community

To promote sustainable agriculture practices on peatland and prevent peat fire, GEC re-introduces MyGAP to local farmers in Beaufort, Sabah. 

CEPA Programme with school children

A pilot initiative involving local students from SMK Gadong in a Communication, Educational and Public Awareness (CEPA) Programme organised in Beaufort, Sabah.

 

Peat conservation initiatives in Sarawak, Malaysia

CEPA - Sustainable Peatland Management in Subdistrict Maludam

The goal of this Communication, Educational and Public Awareness (CEPA) Programme was to raise awareness amongst local communities and provide them with information on ongoing projects, enabling them to develop future collaborations.

 

More info about this project HERE

E-mail us at outreach@gec.org.my if you have further enquiry and how to get involved.