Faizal Parish

Abd Ramlizauyahhudin Mahli

Dr Yatela Zainal

Titled “ Community-based Wetland Management Forum and Study Tour to Johor ”, the 4D / 3N programme aimed to establish a network among identified communities involved in wetland rehabilitation and conservation initiatives and empower each other on best management practices as a community-based organisation ( CBO ).

Johor State Forestry Department Deputy Director , Abd Ramlizauyahhudin Mahli , said collaborations and increased awareness among stakeholders , including local communities who live near forest reserves and other protected areas , such as wildlife reserves , beach or river protection zones .

“ This further enables and enhances the State Forestry Department ’ s efforts in forest conservation , rehabilitation and sustainable wetland resource management planning ,” said GEC Director Faizal Parish .

In his speech , he welcomed more CBOs and community groups to work with the State Forestry Department to implement forest restoration , conservation , protection and rehabilitation activities .

Parish believed community participation was crucial to addressing environmental issues at global and local scales . Environmental issues are local issues that need to be handled with the participation of all concerned citizens , including trained CBOs , at appropriate levels .

Each trained CBO should have cooperation , access to environmental information held by public authorities , and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes for the common good .

“ The programme provides a platform for the communities to exchange ideas , experience and knowledge to enhance the management and develop systematic operations of CBOs and community groups in their efforts to be the eyes and ears of their nearby forests .

“ I am confident that this effort allows wider exposure for the communities to learn from each other and eventually become a model community in wetlands conservation and rehabilitation , such as mangroves , peat swamp forests and dam areas ,” he added .

Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin , Chief Executive Officer of YSD , said they were proud to assist GEC in bringing together a group of passionate and like-minded individuals through this effective programme .

The programme serves as an effective platform for in-depth sharing and exchange of the best practices on successful wetlands ecosystem restoration and management of its operations .

“ Additionally , YSD is optimistic that all the participants and their respective communities will experience greater benefits and success as the programme

empowers them with new ideas , skills and knowledge to build a more resilient and sustainable livelihood further ,” expressed Yatela .

On the programme ’ s second day , communities planted 1,000 Rhizophora mucronata trees in a degraded mangrove area on Tanjung Surat Island . They toured the village to learn about the economic potential that can be developed .

On the third day , five community forum sessions on SWOT analysis , managing and administrating CBOs were conducted by GEC as part of the project funded by YSD .

The 4D / 3N programme is an initiative under the Community-based Mangrove Conservation and Sustainable Livelihood Programme in Kuala Gula – Kerian and Sitiawan – Manjung , Perak , funded by YSD and implemented by GEC .

The six communities who participated in the programme were : i . Pertubuhan Sahabat Hutan Bakau

Kuala Gula ( Perak ) ii . Pertubuhan Sahabat Hutan Bakau Pasir

Panjang Laut ( Perak ) iii . Pertubuhan Sahabat Hutan Bakau

Pulau Tanjung Surat ( Johor ) iv . Komuniti Bakau Kampung Taman

Nilam ( Kedah ) v . Komuniti Ayer Pasir ( Malacca ) vi . Komuniti Warisan Hutan Sungai Tengi

Selatan ( Selangor ) — @ Forest