Theme: "Forests and Health”

“Healthy forests for healthy people”

Every year on March 21st, the ‘International Day of Forests’ is celebrated to honour and promote the value and importance of all types of forests globally which supply an abundance of environmental services including:

• air and water purification, flood management, nutrient recycling, microclimate regulation, carbon sequestration and recreational benefits.

As underscored by this year’s theme, Forests and Health, health-enhancing qualities of forests are numerous and are the result of mutually reinforcing benefits. Our health is influenced by our surroundings and highly depends on the well-being of the environment we live in. The forests resemble natural pharmacies by virtue of being infinite sources of plant and microbial components with established medicinal and nutritional values. 

• Forest biodiversity offers agriculture and food security to the most vulnerable populations (i.e indigenous and local communities) in developing countries. 
• A healthy and safeguarded forest ecosystem is essential to control the deadly spillover infections that cause disease outbreaks. 

Despite their profound values, the forests are threatened by accelerating deforestation, encroachment, fires, biodiversity extinction and overexploitation of resources, which challenge the forests’ persistence and health. Sustainable Forest Management offers a remedy to reverse these challenges while promoting the well-being of both ecosystems and humans as part of the Sustainable Development agenda.

Since its establishment, Global Environment Centre (GEC) has well-understood the threats to the forest ecosystems and their impacts towards biodiversity and local communities. GEC has actively collaborated with various like-minded organisations at local and international platforms to stop deforestation, forest degradation, forest fires and helping forest-dependent communities to generate sustainable income options through forest products and green jobs. 

GEC has also taken a proactive role in supporting and promoting the sustainable management of forests and wetlands through community-based forest management with the goal of conserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change via education, awareness-creation and restoration activities at the local, state, national, and regional levels. 

Through community-based forest management, GEC has led many local community-based organisations (CBOs), to actively participate in the community-based forests and wetlands conservation and restoration. The CBOs include:

• Sahabat Hutan Bakau Kuala Gula (SHBKG);
• Sahabat Hutan Bakau Pasir Panjang Laut (SHBPPL); 
• Sahabat Hutan Bakau Kampung Dato’ Hormat (SHBKDH); 
• Sahabat Hutan Bakau Pulau Tanjung Surat (SHBPTS);
• Komuniti Warisan Hutan Sungai Tengi Selatan (KWHSTS); 
• Sahabat Gambut Asli Temuan (SGAT); 
• Sahabat Hutan Gambut Selangor Utara (SHGSU);
• Ayer Pasir Community Group; and 
• Taman Nilam Mangrove Community Group.

These CBOs have been assisting GEC and state forestry departments as well as other government agencies in Malaysia in conserving and improving the management of terrestrial ecosystems (including water catchments), peat swamp and mangrove forests, as well as their biodiversity and ecosystem services, in accordance with state, national and international agendas. This relationship has resulted in the empowerment of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) as well as contributed to the interest of the state government to implement new approaches to conserve and protect forests and wetlands. 

In conjunction with this year’s ‘International Day of Forests’, GEC is pleased to publish a booklet that introduces and highlights the inspiring work of all the CBOs that have played a greater role in protecting and conserving the forests and wetlands at local level in Peninsular Malaysia. 

Download HERE

Besides highlighting the accomplishments of the active CBOs in community-based forest conservation and restoration, the booklet puts forward the Theory of Change for community-based forest conservation and restoration strategies which benefits the forest and human well-being. The goal of creating ‘Healthy Forests for Healthy People’ can be achieved with the cooperation of all stakeholders, including the government, local communities and private sectors, to strengthen the management of Malaysia's terrestrial ecosystems (including water catchments), peat swamp and mangrove forests and biodiversity. 

Promoting the nexus between forests and human health can contribute towards materializing the Sustainable Development Goals, eradication of poverty and inequality, protection of the planet and promotion of health, justice and prosperity.

On that note, GEC wishes everyone a Happy International Day of Forests 2023!