rehabilitation of peat swamp forest programme with ......may 12, 2020 · 2 prepared by global...

PROGRESS REPORT FOR STAKEHOLDERS

Rehabilitation of Peat Swamp Forest Programme

with Indigenous Community in Southeast Pahang

Peatland Landscape

(April 2019 – March 2020)

Prepared by

Rehabilitation of Peat Swamp Forest Programme with Indigenous Community in Southeast Pahang Peatland Landscape

Progress Report for Stakeholders (April 2019 – March 2020)

1 Prepared by

Global Environment Centre

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Global Environment Centre (GEC) as the implementer of the Rehabilitation of Peat Swamp Forest

Programme with the Indigenous Community in Southeast Pahang Peatland Landscape, would like to

thank our funders i.e. Yayasan Bursa (through its Bursa Bull Charge), IOI Group, Bunge Loders

Croklaan, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and International Fund for Agricultural

Development (IFAD) for providing financial support and manpower in peatland fire prevention,

forest rehabilitation and community development activities within the landscape. Special thanks to

all key stakeholders from government agencies i.e. Pahang State Forestry Department (JPNP) and its

District Forest Offices, Pekan District Office, Department of Orang Asli Development in Pekan

(JAKOA Pekan), Pekan Department of Health, Pekan Department of Agriculture, Department of

Fishery, BOMBA Pekan; private sector i.e. Tanah Makmur Berhad (TMB), Ladang Seri Jelutung,

IOI Bukit Leelau Estate; social enterprises e.g. Honey Plus Resources and TONIBUNG; and local

communities especially Sahabat Hutan Gambut Kampung Tanjung Kelapa (SHGKTK) who have

been collaborative and supportive towards this effort in preventing peatland fire and rehabilitating

the degraded peatland areas within the landscape.

For more information on the peatland rehabilitation programme in Southeast Pahang Peatland

Landscape, and interest to explore collaboration and partnership to support activities within the

landscape, kindly contact Ms. Lew Siew Yan (Serena) at [email protected] with copy to

[email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



2 Prepared by


INTRODUCTION

This report has been produced by Global Environment Centre (GEC) for stakeholders involved in

supporting the effort of undertaking fire prevention measures and rehabilitation of degraded peatland

area adjacent to Southeast Pahang Peat Swamp Forest, Pekan, Pahang. Rehabilitation of the degraded

peatland area was started at Bukit Leelau mini landscape by GEC and IOI Group to rehabilitate

adjacent degraded peatland nearby its IOI Bukit Leelau Estate in Pekan, Pahang. This report contains

an update and implementation progress of the activities undertaken from April 2019 to March 2020. A

factsheet was finalized in November 2019 and has been circulated to various stakeholders (Annex 1).

This report describes the following progress work:

a) Rehabilitation of degraded peatland area through rewetting by canal blocking and

enrichment/selective planting

b) Community based fire prevention

c) Improvement of community welfare and living

d) Sustainable livelihood activities by community

e) Site assessment and demographic survey



3 Prepared by


A. Rehabilitation of degraded peatland area through rewetting by canal blocking and

enrichment/ selective planting

The rehabilitation work has been done by increasing water table through blocking of drainage canals

through the state land and forest reserve (canal blocks). Up to date, there have been 10 canal blocks

constructed within the landscape with support by multi-stakeholder such as IOI Bukit Leelau Estate

(IOI BLE), Yayasan Bursa, collaboration between Pahang State Forestry Department (JPNP),

Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) and Department of Environment (JAS) (refer to Table 1).

From the 10 canal blocks, 7 were constructed in the period of September 2018 to May 2019, and the

remaining were constructed in November 2019.

Table 1: List of canal blocks within the Bukit Leelau mini landscape

Canal block no. Fund/Initiative

1 IOI/GEC

2 IOI/GEC

3 IOI/GEC

4 (PHN01) IOI (temporary constructed by GEC-IOI in Sept 2018), upgraded and replaced by

JPNP/JPS in May 2019

5 Yayasan Bursa Malaysia

PHN02 Pahang State Forestry Department (JPNP), Department of Irrigation and

Drainage (JPS) and Department of Environment (JAS)

PHN03 JPNP, JPS, JAS

CCD86 JPNP, JPS, JAS



The impact of canal blocks resulted in a significant amount of rewetted area. An aerial survey in March

2020 indicated that an estimated 1,410 hectares (ha) have been rewetted with verified 967 ha area

cross-checked with satellite image (refer to Annex 2). This positive progress is also contributed by the

monsoon season at the location. The objective of the canal blocks is to enhance the ability of the peat

of retain water, thus prevent fire occurrence. Once the water level is raised, it may allow natural

regeneration of forest trees and improve biodiversity.

(a) Canal block

(b) GEC officers together with indigenous

community constructed canal block.

Figure 1: Rewetting effort by blocking canals to improve water table.



4 Prepared by


Before (2019)

After one year rehabilitation project (2020)

Figure 2: Positive impacts of rehabilitation of degraded peatland project can be observed from aerial view.

While waiting for natural regeneration that may take longer time to happen at the degraded area,

planting of pioneer tree species Macaranga pruinosa has been undertaken. Under the initiative, a total

of 5,000 wildings have been planted on 9 ha of the degraded peatland area. The local community who

are from the aboriginal Jakun tribe, collected the wildings from peatland areas nearby their areas and

they were empowered to set up backyard community nurseries. The local community have planted

2,500 wildings in early November 2019 and remaining planted by the IOI BLE (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Replanting activities at degraded peatland site with (a) local community and IOI Bukit Leelau

Estate; and (b) Planting pioneer tree species of mahang or Macaranga pruinosa

(a) (b)



5 Prepared by


Figure 4: Aerial photos of planting site



6 Prepared by


B. Community-based fire prevention

Community plays an important role in fire prevention measures as they are living and depending on

the peatland ecosystem. Two committee members from Sahabat Hutan Gambut Kampung Tanjung

Kelapa (SHGKTK) have been appointed as patrollers to monitor fire prone peatland areas. A peatland

patrolling and Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS) training were given to the patrollers and they were

assigned to change warning colour code on FDRS signboards when they patrol, to monitor water level

and take appropriate actions in case of any fire occurrence. The FDRS is an early warning system to

assess the risk of fire occurrences provided by Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD or Met

Malaysia). In addition, community empowerment activity through training sessions on fire prevention,

fire readiness training, FDRS and water management were undertaken and have benefitted at least 30

Orang Asli that living in RPS Runchang, Kg Gong and Kg Tanjung Kelapa.

(a) Fire prevention training in Kg Tg Kelapa by

Bomba on 13 July 2019 (b) FDRS and water management training in

RPS Runchang, March 2020

(c) Installation of FDRS signboards with local

community in February 2020

(d) Patrolling activity by community with

appropriate personal protection equipment and

light tool

Figure 5: Community based fire prevention activities



7 Prepared by


C. Improvement of community welfare and living

On 24 April 2019, 50 sets of solar lights were distributed to the community in Kampung Tanjung

Kelapa that benefitted 25 families. The solar lights can be used to light up their house at night and

charge their cellular phones.

Figure 6: Providing solar lamp to communities in Kampung Tanjung Kelapa

Since October 2019, GEC with technical support from a social enterprise organization, Tobpinai

Ningkokoton Koburuon Kampung (TONIBUNG) installed three solar-powered systems in Kampung

Sapai, Kampung Tanjung Kelapa and Kampung Melogo. These 2 in 1 solar power systems constructed

in order to generate electricity for lighting and light electrical appliances and extract water source for

clean water supply. The system is equipped with submersible pump, water storage tank and filtering

system. These solar-powered systems were co-funded by Yayasan Bursa, Bunge Loders Croklaan and

UNDP through its Orang Asli Micro Grant Facility (OA MGF) (Table 2 and Figure 7).

Table 2: List of solar-powered systems installed at the indigenous villages

Villages Estimated

Beneficiary

Installation Funder

Kampung Tanjung Kelapa 30 person from 5

houses

October 2019 Yayasan Bursa

Kampung Sapai 15 person from 3

houses

October 2019 Bunge Loders Croklaan (BLC)

Kampung Melogo 15 person from 3

houses

February 2020 BLC and UNDP OA MGF

http://bungeloders.com/

http://bungeloders.com/



8 Prepared by


(a) Solar power system in Kg Sapai

(b) Solar power system in Kg Tg Kelapa

(c) Solar power system in Kg Melogo

(d) The solar powered system can be used for

electricity and pump underground water.

Figure 7: Providing solar system to villagers



9 Prepared by


D. Sustainable alternative livelihood activities by community

Alternative livelihood activities have been introduced to the community such as Kelulut bee keeping,

mushroom farming, organic agriculture farming, fish farming and handicraft weaving. These activities

have been technically supported by various agencies and organisations such as Department of

Agriculture (DOA), Department of Fisheries (DOF), Honey Plus Resources, Koperasi Belia Orang

Asli Kuala Rompin Berhad, Pekan Agrofarm, OA Organics Farm and community in Kg Bentan. The

community has gradually increase their income from selling the products.

(a) Kelulut bee keeping (b) Mushroom farming

(c) Mengkuang weaving

(d) Fish farming

Figure 8: Alternative livelihood activities introduced.



10 Prepared by


E. Site assessment and demographic survey

Seven site assessments were undertaken at Kg Patah Jelutong, Kg Sega, Kg Gong, RPS Runchang, Kg

Simpai, Kg Sawah Batu and Kg Padang and five demographic surveys carried out at Kg Gumum, RPS

Runchang, Kg Simpai, Kg Sawah Batu and Kg Padang. These assessment and surveys aimed to

identify potential engagement for further rehabilitation of degraded peatland area that are located

within and adjacent to the landscape. The objective of these site assessments was aimed to collect

information of degraded peatland area, location of abandoned canals, and identify potential areas for

future rehabilitation work (Figure 9). A presentation file with proposed locations potentially suitable

for canal blocks in forest reserves was prepared and submitted to Pahang State Forestry Department in

December 2019 for consideration. Construction of additional canal blocks will allow raising water

table within the landscape to prevent fire outbreak.

The main purpose to conduct demographic survey is to collect update information on community that

is living in the area including information on their existing livelihood activities, basic need necessities

and their responses on peatland rehabilitation and management practices (Figure 10).

(a) Aerial view by drone of Pulau Kemeluak,

RPS Runchang.

(b) Condition of fragmented forest at Kg Simpai,

within Nenasi (Extension) Forest Reserve

Figure 9: Site assessments

(a) Demographic survey at Kg Simpai

(b) Demographic survey at Kg Padang

Figure 10: Demographic Surveys conducted at four villages.



11 Prepared by


CONCLUSION

This ongoing programme have been improving hydrology system of the degraded peatland area in

Southeast Pahang Peatland Landscape with involvement from multiple stakeholder including

indigenous community that lives in the landscape.

The programme has been in good progress and the key achievements include:

i. Approximately 1,410ha degraded peatland area have been rewetted from the canal blocks and

natural peatland vegetation has been re-growing;

ii. Community-based fire patrolling team was established. The patrolling team has been monitoring

the area for fire risk, alerting authorities and monitoring water table at blocked areas;

iii. The degraded peatland area has been free from peat swamp forest fire for more than a year;

iv. Basic needs have been addressed by installation of 3 solar powered systems for the community;

v. Sustainable alternative livelihood activities have increased income of the community; and

vi. Site assessments and demographic survey to Kg Gong, RPS Runchang, Kg Simpai, Kg Padang and

Kg Sawah Batu provide updated baseline information to extend rehabilitation work in SEPPL in

the future.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES

a. Engagement of stakeholders and community for rehabilitation activities such as fire prevention

training, constructing canal blocks, FDRS signboards and water level markers;

b. Provide more awareness programmes for community in SEPPL such as Peatland Forest Ranger

Programme for school kids;

c. Introduce sustainable alternative livelihood activities such as bee keeping, mushroom and fish

farming for more community to increase their income;

d. Support basic needs/welfare of community such as water, education and kitchen improvement.

Table 2: Indicative timeline for next reporting period (April – December 2020) Activity Q2 Q3 Q4

Provide FDRS Training to Kg Padang, Kg Simpai and Kg Sawah

Batu

Installation of canal blocks and FDRS signboards for RPS Runchang

and Kg Simpai

Set up community-based fire prevention patrol at Kg Simpai

Livelihood improvement training for community

Establish Peatland Forest Ranger Programme

Support welfare needs for community that include water, education,

kitchen facilities

* Q2 (April – June); Q3 (July – September); and Q4 (October – December)



12 Prepared by


Annex 1: Factsheet of rehabilitation of degraded peatland area



13 Prepared by




14 Prepared by


Annex 2: Locations of latest canal blocks, rewetted area and the selective planting site

rehabilitation of peat swamp forest programme with ......may 12, 2020 · 2 prepared by global...

Documents