Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Collaborative Programme on Rehabilitation and Conservation of Peat Swamp Forest in Pahang

Author: GEC  |   September 29, 2021  |   Initiatives

A five-year MoU was signed on 23 February 2021 by Pahang State Government through its State Forestry Department and Global Environment Centre to rehabilitate and conserve its peat swamp forests within the State. Through active discussions with Pahang State Forestry Department from 2018, Global Environment Centre finally tighten the bond with the Department to facilitate actions to conserve and rehabilitate peat swamp forest.

This 5-year MoU provides a framework for conservation and rehabilitation activities in Pahang, of which includes the State’s largest peat swamp forest complex – i.e. the Southeast Pahang Peatland Landscape (SEPPL), emphasizing on multiple stakeholder partnerships and collaborations to safeguard the peat swamp forests in the State. Planned key activities including community-based fire prevention and forest rehabilitation, partnership with the private sector such as oil palm plantations to prevent fires and protect peatlands near their plantations, and development of opportunities related to carbon finance, biodiversity conservation and community livelihood enhancement. These partnerships will directly link and support the implementation of national programme on Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystem in Malaysia (SMPEM), and contribute to implementation of the National Action Plan on Peatlands and National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016-2025.

Discussions and implementation have been in progress for significant work and updates, include preparation of concept note or proposal for the Department and stakeholders for potential rehabilitation and recovery projects. This MoU will enable enhancement of community-based sustainable peatland management programmes, provide technical support to relevant government agencies, particularly on integrated management of peat swamp forest and other peatlands. In addition, it also to increase multi-stakeholder participation, support the state government in the preparation of plans for sustainable management, best management practices of peat swamp forest and raise awareness among the local communities and general public, as well as the media on the importance of peatlands.

Further information on this MoU can be found in this link: https://www.gec.org.my/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=6&action=view&retrieveid=987

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