SouthSouth--East East PahangPahang Peat Peat Swamp Forests, MalaysiaSwamp Forests, Malaysia

Conservation and Sustainable Use of Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peat Swamp ForestsPeat Swamp Forests

UNDP/GEF MAL/99/G31UNDP/GEF MAL/99/G31

SavinderSavinder KaurKaur GillGillConsultant Environmental SociologistConsultant Environmental Sociologist

UNDP/GEF funded Peat Swamp Forest ProjectUNDP/GEF funded Peat Swamp Forest ProjectPahangPahang

16 November 200716 November 2007

IntroductionIntroduction

Peninsular MalaysiaPeninsular Malaysia has:has:

•• largest significant peat swamp forest cover in largest significant peat swamp forest cover in mainland tropical Asia (340,000 ha)mainland tropical Asia (340,000 ha)

•• mainland Asiamainland Asia’’s largest and least disturbed PSF s largest and least disturbed PSF remaining as a single nearly contiguous complexremaining as a single nearly contiguous complex

SouthSouth--East East PahangPahang Peat Swamp Peat Swamp Forests Forests

•• PekanPekan District, District, PahangPahang

•• Four permanent forest reserves, i.e. Four permanent forest reserves, i.e. PekanPekan, , NenasiNenasi, , KedondongKedondong & & ResakResak (87,000ha.)(87,000ha.)

•• Production forestsProduction forests

•• Demonstration site for sustainable forest Demonstration site for sustainable forest managementmanagement

Project SiteProject Site

The UNDP/GEF funded Peat The UNDP/GEF funded Peat Swamp Forest ProjectSwamp Forest Project

Watch the Watch the VIDEOVIDEO………………..

Ecology of the SEPPSFEcology of the SEPPSF

Inland Area-Wetland Features

-Peat swamp forest: -Freshwater swamp forest: -Herbaceous swamp: -River channels: -Riverine vegetation: -Open water (still): -Macrophyte beds:

- dominant ecosystem- along riverbanks- prolonged inundation- tidal black water drainage- along riverbanks- occur only by intervention- spawning, feeding nurseries

Inland Areas-Dryland Features

-Heath forest: -Padang vegetation: -Dipterocarp forest: -Beach forest:

- on old, leached sand ridges- grassland/early regeneration- on sandstone outcrops- on residual sand ridges

Marine Coastal Areas Features

-Mangroves: -Sand beaches: -Mudflats: -Lagoonal open water: -Coastal open water: -Brackish water riverine vegetation:

- on depositions of mud- beach stabilizing vegetation- feeding areas near mangroves- sheltered, invertebrates- commercial marine fisheries- degree of salinity a determinant

Benefits of Intact Peat Swamp ForestsBenefits of Intact Peat Swamp ForestsVALUE BENEFITS

FORESTRY

AGRICULTURE

RECREATION/TOURISM

RESEARCH/EDUCATION

WATER SUPPLY

WILDLIFE PRODUCTION

FISH PRODUCTION

FLOOD MITIGATION

PREVENTION OF SALINE WATER INTRUSION

MAINTENANCE OF BASE FLOWS IN RIVERS

SEDIMENT REMOVAL NUTRIENT REMOVAL

TOXICANT REMOVAL

GROUNDWATER RECHARGE

GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

CULTURAL/SPIRITUAL VALUE

HISTORIC VALUE

AESTHETIC VALUE

WILDERNESS VALUE

ATTRIBUTES

FUNCTIONS

USES

Species Diversity (Flora)Species Diversity (Flora)

•• At least 221 At least 221 taxataxa of flora of a total of 238 of flora of a total of 238 taxataxa in PMin PM

•• GonystylusGonystylus bancanusbancanus, , DurioDurio carinatuscarinatus, , MadhucaMadhucamotleyanamotleyana, , ShoreaShorea platycarpaplatycarpa, and , and ShoreaShorea uliginosauliginosa are are commercial species seemingly restricted to swamp forests commercial species seemingly restricted to swamp forests in the region.in the region.

•• TetrameristaTetramerista glabraglabra: important commercial species; fruits a : important commercial species; fruits a food source for some birds and mammals.food source for some birds and mammals.

•• DurioDurio carinatuscarinatus: food source for hornbills, other birds and : food source for hornbills, other birds and mammalsmammals

•• AlstoniaAlstonia angustilobaangustiloba:: preferred nesting places for globally preferred nesting places for globally Vulnerable Lesser Adjutant StorkVulnerable Lesser Adjutant Stork

Species Diversity (Fauna)Species Diversity (Fauna)

•• Mammals: 63 species (19 on the IUCN Red List)Mammals: 63 species (19 on the IUCN Red List)•• Birds: 192 species (56 are on the IUCN Red List)Birds: 192 species (56 are on the IUCN Red List)•• HerptilesHerptiles: 8 species of turtles (all are on the IUCN Red List): 8 species of turtles (all are on the IUCN Red List)•• Endemic Fauna: 36 species of birds are Endemic Fauna: 36 species of birds are SundalandSundaland endemics; endemics;

Three out of the six endemic fish species in Three out of the six endemic fish species in PahangPahang state are state are found in the SEPPSF.found in the SEPPSF.

•• StenotopicStenotopic Species: 70% of the fishes considered to be Species: 70% of the fishes considered to be stenotopicstenotopic to to blackwatersblackwaters in Peninsular Malaysiain Peninsular Malaysia

•• 2 amphibian species exclusively peat swamp species.2 amphibian species exclusively peat swamp species.•• A breeding colony of the Lesser Adjutant Stork, A breeding colony of the Lesser Adjutant Stork, LeptoptilosLeptoptilos

javanicusjavanicus•• BlackwaterBlackwater streams and rivers critical spawning areas, streams and rivers critical spawning areas,

e.g.e.g.WallagoWallago leeriileerii..

Threats to SEPPSFThreats to SEPPSF

•• Land conversionLand conversion

•• Forest firesForest fires

•• Alteration of hydrological regimeAlteration of hydrological regime

•• Invasion of exotic speciesInvasion of exotic species

•• Unsustainable loggingUnsustainable logging

Logging ManagementLogging Management

•• Reduced Impact Logging (RIL)Reduced Impact Logging (RIL)–– Field demonstration and supervision at the Field demonstration and supervision at the

Compartment 77 in the Compartment 77 in the PekanPekan FR, using the FR, using the RIMBAKA Timber Harvester RIMBAKA Timber Harvester

–– RIL = systematic approach to planning, RIL = systematic approach to planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating forest implementing, monitoring and evaluating forest harvesting, aimed at reducing soil disturbance, harvesting, aimed at reducing soil disturbance, impacts on wildlife and damage to residual trees.impacts on wildlife and damage to residual trees.

–– Particularly for sustainable management of Particularly for sustainable management of mainly hill forests. mainly hill forests.

Conservation and Sustainable Forest Conservation and Sustainable Forest ManagementManagement

•• Formulation of Integrated management plan (IMP) Formulation of Integrated management plan (IMP) through multithrough multi--stakeholder inputstakeholder input

–– Sensitive areas were identified Sensitive areas were identified logging minimized or even logging minimized or even bannedbanned

–– Intensity of planned logging in less sensitive areas adjusted toIntensity of planned logging in less sensitive areas adjusted tomaintain its production within the justified allowable coupe.maintain its production within the justified allowable coupe.

–– SetSet--aside areas with high conservation values established in the aside areas with high conservation values established in the core zones core zones

–– Entire forest reserve complex managed as a single unit of strictEntire forest reserve complex managed as a single unit of strictbiodiversity protection area. biodiversity protection area.

–– Social engagement in project planning and managementSocial engagement in project planning and management

•• Endorsement of IMP by The State Executive CommitteeEndorsement of IMP by The State Executive Committee•• Establishment of a State Project Steering Committee Establishment of a State Project Steering Committee

(SPSC)/Wetlands Management Committee (WMC)(SPSC)/Wetlands Management Committee (WMC)

Participatory Participatory community project community project planningplanning

The CommunitiesThe Communities

•• Indigenous Indigenous ‘‘OrangOrang AsliAsli’’ JakunJakun•• 19 villages surrounding the SEPPSF19 villages surrounding the SEPPSF•• 8,000 people8,000 people

Human UsesHuman Uses

Traditional and SubsistenceTraditional and Subsistence–– Raw material for dwellings, household products Raw material for dwellings, household products

and tools, as well as sources of food and medicine. and tools, as well as sources of food and medicine. –– Hunting for subsistence is still widely practiced, Hunting for subsistence is still widely practiced,

e.g. wild boar (e.g. wild boar (SusSus scrofascrofa), deer species ), deer species ((MuntiacusMuntiacus muntjakmuntjak, , TragulusTragulus javanicajavanica and and TragulusTragulus napunapu) and monitor lizards () and monitor lizards (VaranusVaranus sppspp.). .).

–– Fish are an important source of Fish are an important source of dietary protein for the dietary protein for the JakunJakun community living community living

on the fringes of SEPPSF and on the fringes of SEPPSF and their associated waterways. their associated waterways.

Commercial NonCommercial Non--timber forest productstimber forest productsCommercially valuable forest products are usually sold uCommercially valuable forest products are usually sold unprocessed nprocessed as food, medicine, ornamentals, or as pets.as food, medicine, ornamentals, or as pets.

The participatory process The participatory process involving local communities involving local communities

•• The provision of informationThe provision of information•• ConsultationsConsultations•• Full participationFull participation•• LongLong--term responsibilityterm responsibility•• Key participatory concepts:Key participatory concepts:

ParticipationParticipationEmpowermentEmpowermentRespectRespect

Engaging the Engaging the JakunJakun as Partners in as Partners in Conservation Conservation

•• Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)–– Encourage local participation in the assessment of the involvemeEncourage local participation in the assessment of the involvement, nt,

contribution, practices undertaken, desires and concerns of the contribution, practices undertaken, desires and concerns of the JakunJakuncommunity with respect to the sustainable use of peat swamp forecommunity with respect to the sustainable use of peat swamp forest st resources. resources.

–– Gauge the level of awareness of the Gauge the level of awareness of the JakunJakun on the importance of the peat on the importance of the peat swamp forests. swamp forests.

–– Assess relevant social, economic and cultural aspects of the Assess relevant social, economic and cultural aspects of the JakunJakun. .

–– Compile a list of flora and fauna deemed important for conservatCompile a list of flora and fauna deemed important for conservation by ion by the local community was produced.the local community was produced.

–– Exploring the possibility of providing alternative/supplementaryExploring the possibility of providing alternative/supplementaryincomes and creating opportunities for local employment through incomes and creating opportunities for local employment through sustainable livelihood projects.sustainable livelihood projects.

–– An analysis on the capacity of the local communities to spearheaAn analysis on the capacity of the local communities to spearhead d sustainable projects and a review of existing/past sustainable lsustainable projects and a review of existing/past sustainable livelihood ivelihood projects by the JHEOA.projects by the JHEOA.

Participatory Rural Appraisal Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)(PRA)

•• Descriptions of forest practices based on indigenous Descriptions of forest practices based on indigenous knowledge of local communities and individuals.knowledge of local communities and individuals.

•• Gender and social roles of various groups in the Gender and social roles of various groups in the community. community.

•• Possessions, human health and educational status of Possessions, human health and educational status of resource users, especially those factors that may resource users, especially those factors that may constrain the project.constrain the project.

•• Stakeholder analysis to determine which Stakeholder analysis to determine which organisationsorganisationshave influence over or deal with local communities in have influence over or deal with local communities in the area the area

The PRA was conducted in two stages over a The PRA was conducted in two stages over a staggered period of six months, involving staggered period of six months, involving

indigenous indigenous JakunJakun communities in 19 villages communities in 19 villages within and surrounding the SEPPSF.within and surrounding the SEPPSF.

Capacity buildingCapacity building

–– Local communities take responsibility for the Local communities take responsibility for the planning and implementation of their own planning and implementation of their own projects.projects.

–– Developing the capacity of local people to Developing the capacity of local people to manage project activitiesmanage project activities

–– Discouraging total dependency on outsiders by Discouraging total dependency on outsiders by promoting selfpromoting self--reliance & confidence in those reliance & confidence in those directly associated with the projects.directly associated with the projects.

SustainabilitySustainability

–– Ensuring that local people sustain the project Ensuring that local people sustain the project after the cessation of the funding period.after the cessation of the funding period.

–– Facilitating the beneficiaries to assume Facilitating the beneficiaries to assume ownership right from the projectownership right from the project’’s inception.s inception.

–– Testing the viability of the pilot projects Testing the viability of the pilot projects

–– Developing a framework for the possible Developing a framework for the possible replication of these projects through local replication of these projects through local development institutionsdevelopment institutions

GenderGender

–– Recognising the role of women in community Recognising the role of women in community development and elevating their status through development and elevating their status through meaningful participation at every stage of the meaningful participation at every stage of the project, including project planning.project, including project planning.

UNDP/GEF Community UNDP/GEF Community Development Projects in Development Projects in PahangPahang

•• A. The Heritage Garden ProjectA. The Heritage Garden Project

To preserve indigenous knowledge s on To preserve indigenous knowledge s on medicinal plants for future generationsmedicinal plants for future generations

Provide supplementary livelihood to community Provide supplementary livelihood to community via employment opportunitiesvia employment opportunities

Ensuring adequate supply to practitioners of Ensuring adequate supply to practitioners of traditional medicine & designated handicrafttraditional medicine & designated handicraft--makersmakers

The The AsliAsli JakunJakun Traditional Medicinal Traditional Medicinal Heritage GardenHeritage Garden

Funding period: 18 monthsFunding period: 18 months

Implemented by: Implemented by: KampungKampung SimpaiSimpai Village Village CommitteeCommittee

UNDP/GEF Community Development UNDP/GEF Community Development Projects in Projects in PahangPahang (cont(cont’’d)d)

•• B. RPS B. RPS RunchangRunchang Fish Cage Culture Fish Cage Culture ProjectProject

Using local species so as not to introduce new Using local species so as not to introduce new speciesspecies

Rearing Rearing BaungBaung fish in cages along the riverfish in cages along the riverTo provide more stable income for peopleTo provide more stable income for people

UNDP/GEF Community Development UNDP/GEF Community Development Projects in Projects in PahangPahang (cont(cont’’d)d)

•• C.C. CBO InitiativeCBO Initiative

To strengthen local institutional capacityTo strengthen local institutional capacity

To establish link between To establish link between CBOsCBOs, JKKK & other , JKKK & other grassroots grassroots organisationsorganisations for knowledge sharing for knowledge sharing & continuous capacity building.& continuous capacity building.

To build model for community development in To build model for community development in the regionthe region

Community Mapping WorkshopCommunity Mapping Workshop

Basic Computer ClassesBasic Computer Classes

Basic Computer ClassesBasic Computer Classes

Video Camera ClassVideo Camera Class

Project ActivitiesProject Activities

INCOME GENERATION (CULTIVATION OF INCOME GENERATION (CULTIVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS)MEDICINAL PLANTS)-- MISAI KUCINGMISAI KUCING

•• Soil studySoil study

•• Mapping and demarcation of Heritage Garden Mapping and demarcation of Heritage Garden BoundaryBoundary

•• Land clearingLand clearing

•• Planting Planting

•• MaintenanceMaintenance

Heritage Garden ProjectHeritage Garden Project

Project ActivitiesProject Activities

HERITAGE GARDEN (4Ha. CONSERVATION HERITAGE GARDEN (4Ha. CONSERVATION PLOT)PLOT)

•• TrailTrail--makingmaking•• Identification of medicinal plantsIdentification of medicinal plants•• Labelling of medicinal plantsLabelling of medicinal plants•• Study tours Study tours •• Opening of Heritage Garden to visitorsOpening of Heritage Garden to visitors

Heritage Garden (Conservation Plot)Heritage Garden (Conservation Plot)

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesPRESERVATION OF INDIGENOUS PRESERVATION OF INDIGENOUS

KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE

•• Documentation of medicinal plants using ICTDocumentation of medicinal plants using ICT•• IK workshopsIK workshops•• Training on preparation of herbarium specimensTraining on preparation of herbarium specimens•• Preparation of herbarium specimens Preparation of herbarium specimens •• Formulation of community protocol and benefitFormulation of community protocol and benefit--

sharing mechanismsharing mechanism•• Production of book on medicinal plantsProduction of book on medicinal plants

PROJECT PARTNERS: FRIM & PACOSPROJECT PARTNERS: FRIM & PACOS

Documentation of Indigenous Documentation of Indigenous KnowledgeKnowledge

Preservation of Indigenous Preservation of Indigenous KnowledgeKnowledge

Project ActivitiesProject Activities

HANDICRAFTHANDICRAFT

•• Identification of village handicraftIdentification of village handicraft--makersmakers•• Identification of types of handicraftIdentification of types of handicraft•• Handicraft productionHandicraft production•• Training for craftsmen/orientation to market Training for craftsmen/orientation to market

needsneeds•• Providing access to marketsProviding access to markets•• Study tours to Handicraft expositions and other Study tours to Handicraft expositions and other

villagesvillages•• Monitoring and constant communicationMonitoring and constant communication

HandicraftHandicraft

Handicraft (Continued)Handicraft (Continued)

Project ChallengesProject Challenges•• Shortage of manpowerShortage of manpower

•• Low attendance for trainingLow attendance for training

•• Poor attendance at meetings: dormant committee Poor attendance at meetings: dormant committee membersmembers

•• Poor participation of youthPoor participation of youth

•• No motivation to work for free, i.e. volunteerism doesnNo motivation to work for free, i.e. volunteerism doesn’’t t work when benefits cannot be seenwork when benefits cannot be seen

•• The village elites & men, tend to dominate decisions on The village elites & men, tend to dominate decisions on resource managementresource management-- educated, wealthiest, those with educated, wealthiest, those with authority authority -- may find easier to may find easier to ‘‘capturecapture’’ the activity & the activity & monopolisemonopolise its benefits. its benefits.

•• FundingFunding

•• Reliance on village leader for coordinationReliance on village leader for coordination

•• Poor maintenance of infrastructure purchased with seed Poor maintenance of infrastructure purchased with seed fundingfunding

Benefits & ImpactsBenefits & Impacts

•• Increased appreciation of IKIncreased appreciation of IK

•• Enhanced community/family tiesEnhanced community/family ties

•• Forging new networks & strengthening existing Forging new networks & strengthening existing networksnetworks

•• More social participation & control in local More social participation & control in local organisationsorganisations & projects& projects

•• Improved quality of lifeImproved quality of life

•• Improved local technical skillsImproved local technical skills

Lessons Learnt in Project Design Lessons Learnt in Project Design & Implementation & Implementation

1. Project Level (Assumptions):1. Project Level (Assumptions):--Capacity to accurately Capacity to accurately recogniserecognise & & prioritiseprioritise needs of local needs of local

communitiescommunities

--Satisfy needs of local communitiesSatisfy needs of local communities

--Once pilot project had successfully completed, replication Once pilot project had successfully completed, replication would follow as a matter of coursewould follow as a matter of course

--Local communities engaged as partners in conservation Local communities engaged as partners in conservation within three years through two alternative livelihood within three years through two alternative livelihood programmesprogrammes

--Exit strategy involving local agencies devised at the end of Exit strategy involving local agencies devised at the end of project periodproject period

Lessons Learnt in Project Design Lessons Learnt in Project Design & Implementation (cont& Implementation (cont’’d)d)

2. Community Level2. Community LevelFollowing ingredients are essential if HG Project Following ingredients are essential if HG Project

were to survive in longwere to survive in long--term:term:

--CooperationCooperation

--Stronger project management teamStronger project management team

--Paid employmentPaid employment

--Retain staffRetain staff

--Avoid monopolyAvoid monopoly

Community Protocol & BenefitCommunity Protocol & Benefit--SharingSharing

Why communities need benefitWhy communities need benefit--sharing agreements?sharing agreements?

What is community protocol & benefit sharing?What is community protocol & benefit sharing?

Monetary benefitsMonetary benefits NonNon--monetary benefitsmonetary benefits

•• ‘‘UpUp--frontfront’’ payments payments •• Milestone payments Milestone payments •• Royalties Royalties •• Research funding Research funding •• License fees License fees •• Salaries Salaries •• Equity and profitEquity and profit--sharing sharing

opportunities opportunities •• Higher sale price of products. Higher sale price of products.

•• Contributions to local economy and Contributions to local economy and at the village level, e.g. livelihood at the village level, e.g. livelihood improvement such as infrastructure improvement such as infrastructure and food security and food security

•• Community empowerment through Community empowerment through improved negotiation capacities improved negotiation capacities

•• Strengthening capacities of local Strengthening capacities of local populations in the sustainable use of populations in the sustainable use of natural/genetic resources natural/genetic resources

•• Exchange of staff and training Exchange of staff and training •• Capacity building and transfer of Capacity building and transfer of

technology technology •• Sharing of research results Sharing of research results •• Increased scientific capacities, e.g. Increased scientific capacities, e.g.

through support to research activitiesthrough support to research activities

Assessment of community needs and perceptions

Formulation of SL project

Project implementation & monitoring

SustainabilityProblems within local community

Capacity building

Cessation of fundingceases Cessation of

UNDP/GEF coordination

Poor monitoring/lack of support from government agencies

1

2

3

14

4

3

2

HYPOTHESISED CHALLENGES TO PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY

PROJECT FORMULATION

Threshold of failure/success of SL Project

The UNDP/GEF SL Sustainability The UNDP/GEF SL Sustainability

Model for the HG ProjectModel for the HG Project

Local communities’input

Funding

Internal sustainability mechanism

Coordination (Development agency UNDP/GEF

Institutional support

Monitoring

Peer support: Networking with other communities

Harmony with stakeholders

Factors of Sustainability for SL ProjectsFactors of Sustainability for SL Projects

Towards Sustainability Towards Sustainability

SocioSocio--economic surveyseconomic surveysCollaborative management committeeCollaborative management committeeLonger time frameLonger time frameRole of partner agenciesRole of partner agenciesCommunity recognitionCommunity recognitionLocal solutions for local peopleLocal solutions for local peopleCommunity capacity buildingCommunity capacity buildingIntra/interIntra/inter--agency trainingagency trainingInterestInterestReviewsReviews

Education/awarenessEducation/awareness--raisingraising

UNDP/GEF UNDP/GEF assisted in the assisted in the coordination of coordination of the projects, but the projects, but does not OWN the does not OWN the projects!!! Projects projects!!! Projects belong to the belong to the COMMUNITIES!COMMUNITIES!

The UNDP/GEF PSF Project The UNDP/GEF PSF Project Social Engagement in the SEPPSF: Social Engagement in the SEPPSF:

A ReflectionA Reflection

Projects should not be carried out because of the perceived needs of local communities by government/development agencies. Rather,

SL projects should be based on what the local communities want, need and are

capable of doing.

Savinder Kaur GillSavinder Kaur GillEmail: Email: savinder.gill@gmail.comsavinder.gill@gmail.com