Component Sub-Outcome 1: Capacity and institutional framework for sustainable peatland management in Malaysia strengthened

Output 1.1: Policy and planning framework for peatland management strengthen at national level

There is an urgent need to enhance capacity for sustainable peatland management through the establishment of appropriate institutional mechanisms at the national and state levels; enhancing the capability of staff of key agencies; and improving the awareness of key stakeholders involved in the utilisation and management of peatlands due to poor understanding of peatland functions and inadequate or overlapping policies and guidelines pertaining to peatlands, which has resulted in the mismanagement of peatlands.
Activities

1.1.1: Implement and regularly update national policies on peatlands – particularly National Action Plan for Peatlands and National Wetland Policy through the National Wetland Committee.

1.1.2: Organise a campaign on sustainable peatland management and fire prevention with relevant awareness materials.

1.1.3: Develop training materials and conduct training (workshops, study tours and seminars) for key stakeholders on sustainable management and restoration of peatlands.

Proposed Partners: NRE, members of National Working Group on Peatlands, other related ministries and agencies, State government and related agencies, NGOs


Output 1.2: Capacity for peatland management in Selangor strengthened to support the up-scaling of good peatland management practices

There is insufficient capacity on peatland management and fire prevention and control in Selangor State. The following activities aim to enhance the relevant local and state level stakeholders and improve multi-stakeholder coordination related to sustainable peatland management.

Activities

1.2.1: Organize training courses for stakeholders (govt. agencies, the private sectors, local communities etc.) on peatland management.

1.2.2: Carry out an awareness programme on best management practices and fire prevention.

1.2.3: Strengthen the state-level multi-stakeholder committee and state working group for peatlands to improve coordination for peatland management.

Proposed Partners: State EPU, State FD, State TCPD, State FRD, State DID, State DoA, State DWNP, District Offices, District Offices, Tourism Selangor Sdn Bhd, research institutions and the private sector


Output 1.3: Peatland Education Centre at pilot site (North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest) established

North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest is the largest peat swamp forest in Selangor and one of the largest in Malaysia covering over 70,000ha. An established Centre can act as an information resource centre to educate the public and other relevant stakeholders on peatland ecosystem as there is a lack of its understanding at local and national level.

Activities

1.3.1: Provide inputs to the assessment of pilot site for specific public awareness activities.

1.3.2: Support the development of information materials for the pilot site.

Proposed Partners: State FD, State EPU, State DWNP, District Offices, Tourism Selangor Sdn Bhd, research institutions, NGOs


Output 1.4: Innovative financial mechanisms to support sustainable peatland management established

The following activities aim to identifyfunding sources to be able to carry on activities beyond the project period, since many activities can be viewed as long term.

Activities

1.4.1: Provide technical coordination and support to component

Proposed Partners: NRE, members of National Working Group on Peatlands, other related ministries and agencies, State government and related agencies, NGOs

Component Sub-Outcome 2: The degradation of peatlands in Malaysia due to fires minimised

Output 2.1 Status and trends of Malaysian peatlands determined

Current information on peatland extent and status is outdated or scattered among different agencies/ stakeholders at both national and state levels. Action is needed to improve the knowledge base and also make existing information more easily available. There is a need to determine the trends in peatland functions and peatland biodiversity in natural and degraded areas hence assist in identifying areas of national or international significance and areas with potential for rehabilitation.

Activities

2.1.1: Support the inventory of peatlands (National Forest Inventory 5) by Peninsular Malaysia Forest Department and record current status of peatlands in Peninsular Malaysia.

2.1.2: Undertake appropriate assessments on key issues including fire incidents and their root causes affecting biodiversity, carbon content and water resources.

2.1.3: Regular monitoring to determine changes or trends for management actions.

2.1.4: Identify priority areas for conservation measures for peatland biodiversity and implement initial activities.

Proposed Partners: NRE, FDPM, Sabah FD, Sarawak FD, FRIM, State government and related agencies, Research Institutions, Expert groups

Output 2.2: Degradation of peatlands by fire in Selangor State reduced

There is a need to reduce the incidence of peatland fires in Selangor as it is a regular occurrence which results in smoke haze and negative impacts on the local and adjacent areas.
Activities

2.2.1: Identify critical fire-prone areas at NSPSF and South Selangor peatlands and develop appropriate fire prevention measures for these areas and undertake regular monitoring through increased patrols and enforcement activities.

2.2.2: Test and verify a fire prediction and warning system at pilot site.

2.2.3: Promote the involvement of community and local land owners in fire prevention and control (including support to the State Forest Fire Team).

Proposed Partners: NRE, FDPM, State FD, JUPEM, MACRES, Malaysian Metreological Department (MMD), MaCGDI, State EPU, State FRD, State DWNP, District Offices, research institutions, NGOs, sectoral agencies and associations


Output 2.3: Guidelines for integrated peatland management developed and promoted

There are frequent fire incidences in peatlands in Malaysia, which are of great concern as they have negative impacts on the environment, health and socio-economics of the country. The following activities aim to address this issue and will also contribute to the reduction of transboundary haze pollution in the Southeast Asian region.
Activities

2.3.1: Provide support in the development of an integrated fire prediction and warning system (fire hazard map, hotspots, fire danger rating, fire scars map).

2.3.2: Promote ASEAN zero burning guidelines for fire prevention and control in peatlands in Malaysia through awareness activities.

2.3.3: Collate, adapt and promote guidelines for sustainable use of peatlands relating to the following sectors: forestry, agriculture (small-holders and large-scale estates) & infrastructure through awareness activities.

Proposed Partners: NRE, FRD, FDPM, MOSTI, MMD, NSD, NREB, MoA

Component Sub-Outcome 3: Best management practices at selected demonstration sites identified and practised

Output 3.1 Sustainable management options for peatlands showcased through demonstration projects

In Malaysia, there are several examples of good management practices. Demonstrating best management practices can be applied to peatland management for replication in other areas.

Activities

3.1.1: Document and promote best management practices of demonstration sites (e.g. Maludam NP, Sarawak; Loagan Bunut, Sarawak; Klias Forest Reserve, Sabah; S.E Pahang PSF, Pahang; United Plantation, Perak) to upscale good management practices for peatlands.

3.1.2: Facilitate visits and study tours to demonstration sites.

Proposed Partners: NRE, State Governments


Output 3.2 Integrated management strategies for North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest (NSPSF) and buffer zone adopted

The use of buffer zones can increase the protection status of the peatland ecosystem in the NSPSF as a whole.

Activities

3.2.1: Review and update the Integrated Management Plan for NSPSF and support implementation of initial activities.

3.2.2: Develop and promote approval of the management strategy for the NSPSF buffer zone to address land use conflicts and support implementation of initial activities.

Proposed Partners: State EPU, District Offices, State FD, State TCPD, State DWNP, State DoA, Fishery Department, State DID, private sector, local community.


Output 3.3 Rehabilitation of degraded peat swamp forest demonstrated in Raja Musa FR and adjacent buffer zone

Past fire incidences in peatlands in the Raja Musa Forest Reserve and in the adjacent buffer zone have led to peatland degradation. This has consequently affected the natural peatland functions in the area. The following activities aim to promote rehabilitation in degraded areas and to restore their natural functions.

Activities

3.3.1: Update and review the Rehabilitation Plan for the Raja Musa F.R and adjacent buffer zone.

3.3.2: Organize workshops for training on rehabilitation techniques for relevant local stakeholders.

3.3.3: Undertake and monitor results of rehabilitation activities including blocking of abandoned drains and replanting degraded areas.

3.3.4: Document experience and lessons learned and promote to other areas in Selangor State to upscale learning.

Proposed Partners: State FD, State TCPD, research institutions, private sector, local community

Component Sub-Outcome 4: Guidelines for selected sectors relating to peatland management prepared and adopted

Output 4.1 Sustainable economic activities in the buffer zone of NSPSF enhanced

These activities aim to reduce the negative impacts and threats to livelihood requirements of local communities living within or adjacent to peatland areas.

Activities

4.1.1: Support a study to review impacts of existing livelihood and economic activities (water supply, township development, plantation, etc.) on peatlands and recommend mitigation measures within the buffer zone (e.g. better agriculture plantation management, development of eco-zone to reduce peat fire and haze in Berjuntai Bestari Jaya township).

4.1.2: Promote community involvement in sustainable peatland management activities through developing options for sustainable livelihood activities (e.g. ecotourism, recreational activities and community forestry programmes).

Proposed Partners: State EPU, State FD, State TCPD, State DoA, State DWNP, Tourism Selangor Sdn. Bhd, private sector, local community 


Duration, Budget, Cost, & Financing