The ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI) at a recent ecosystem forum, bestowed recognition to Central Forest Spine (CFS), an initiative under the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia, for its efforts in habitat and biodiversity resources restoration. The AGI Award given to Malaysia acknowledges CFS’s efforts to identify areas to plant 32,000 trees as of 2022, connecting fragmented forest landscapes in Peninsular Malaysia. This is in addition to the 143,560 native trees planted from 2013 to 2015.
Recognising the importance of the forest as it heavily impacts the lives of trees, wildlife and humans, CFS has taken on the responsibility to carefully link 39 ecological linkages connecting fragmented landscapes throughout Peninsular Malaysia. This crucial conservation project not only paves the way for the sustainability of the nation’s lush resources and heritage, but also ensures the survival of endangered species, the conservation of rich biodiversity and the preservation of key habitats.
“Peninsular Malaysia has lost a significant amount of its forested land since the 1920s, attributed to rapid agricultural expansion and infrastructure development resulting in the fragmentation of our valuable national asset. This has resulted in loss of biodiversity, road kills and human-wildlife conflicts. Today the total forest land in Peninsular Malaysia stands 5.73 million ha covering 44% of the land area. Urgent remedial steps needs be undertaken to protect the green lung of Peninsular Malaysia and to prevent further loss of forest and fragmentation. Through the Central Forest Spine Master Plan (CFSMP), we have identified the ecological linkages along the eight major forest complexes in Peninsular Malaysia and this recognition by AGI validates our approach and strategy,” said Dato’ Zahari bin Ibrahim, Deputy Director-General (Policy and Planning), Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia.
Following the rehabilitation successes of these restoration sites, CFS was able to make a significant impact along four ecological linkages. These ecological linkages were Ulu Muda – Bukit Saiong – Chebar in Kedah, Temenggor – Amanjaya – Belum in Perak as well as Tanum – Sungai Yu and Ulu Jelai – Bukit Bujang – Hulu Lemor in Pahang. Through the unwavering commitment and determination to restore connectivity, the initiative achieved a notable milestone for tree planting in Kedah, Perak and Pahang which was showcased at the AGI event. The figure reached an impressive number of 24,600, 143,560 and 7,400 trees respectively.
The forum also served as a platform for CFS to demonstrate the importance of forest rehabilitation to act as a carbon sink that reduces emissions of greenhouse gases and tackles climate change. CFS’s effort in the rehabilitation of ecological corridors not only affirmed its commitment to conserve Peninsular Malaysia’s rich biodiversity, but was also commended as one of the best big scale initiatives during the forum.
Strengthening the fact that the forest is a cohesive ecosystem connecting both wildlife and humans, the rehabilitation of ecological linkages has thus far increased the presence and sighting of various endangered species such as the Malayan tiger, Asian elephant, Malayan sun bear and tapir. Additionally, this has created new income avenues for the indigenous people and local communities, alleviating their financial burdens as well as increasing awareness on the importance of green initiatives and biodiversity conservation among the public.
“The ASEAN Green Initiative was established to conserve the region’s rich biodiversity, to set the standards for the best ecosystem restoration activities, regrow the forests in the region as well as contribute positively to both humans and wildlife. CFS’s rehabilitation effort of ecological corridors is aligned with ASEAN’s mission to plant 10 million native trees within a span of 10 years. The Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia is honoured to received this recognition for its forest restoration and connecting the forest landscape in Central Forest Spine,” said Dato’ Zahari.
About Improving Connectivity: Central Forest Spine (IC-CFS)
The Improving Connectivity in the Central Forest Spine Landscape (IC-CFS) is a project seeking to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services in the priority forest landscapes within the CFS.
Incepted in 2014, the project is led by the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) Peninsular Malaysia and Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) with the support of The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant.
The main objective of IC-CFS is to strengthen the federal and state capacity in executing the CFS Master Plan to enhance forest connectivity and law enforcement against wildlife and forestry crimes. The project is composed of three components namely planning, compliance monitoring, and enforcement framework for integrated forest landscape management; sustainable forest landscape management of three priority forest landscapes within the CFS; and diversification of financing sources for conservation.
About Central Forest Spine
Established under the 2005 National Physical Plan (NPP), the Central Forest Spine (CFS) serves as the backbone of the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) network in Peninsular Malaysia. It comprises four main forest complexes; Banjaran Titiwangsa – Banjaran Bintang – Banjaran Nakawan; Taman Negara – Banjaran Timur; South-East Pahang, Chini and Bera Wetlands; and Endau Rompin National Park – Kluang Wildlife Reserves.
Spanning over 6.71 million hectares, the CFS harbours critical mountain watersheds and catchment areas that supply water for 90% of the population. Home to a highly diverse range of flora and fauna species including the endangered Malayan tiger subspecies and Asian Elephant, it provides climate regulation, soil protection, and carbon storage.
Learn more at https://www.forestry.gov.my/ / www.ic-centralforestspine.com.my.
