Promoting sustainable peatland management through collective action

BALAI RINGIN: The Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) recently organised the Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Programme on Peatland aimed at promoting sustainable peatland management through collective action.

The event, held at the local Community Service Centre, drew 200 participants, including community and village leaders from 96 villages around Balai Ringin, Serian.

The programme, officiated by Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan, shed light on FDS’ initiatives for sustainable forest product management, aiming to boost the local economy while preserving the environment.

Key topics covered included peatland discussions by the Research and Development Division, laws and regulations in the Permanent Forest Reserve by the Public Relations and Conservation Division, the Greening Sarawak Campaign by the Restoration and Industrial Forest Division, and community awareness on non-timber forest products (NTFP) by the Social Forestry Division.

Guests at the event included Sarawak Forestry director Datuk Hamden Mohammad, and Balai Ringin Sub-District officer Mohammad Adam Muslim Abdullah.

The Peatland CEPA Programme falls under the Sustainable Use of Peatland and Haze Mitigation in Asean (SUPA) Project, a collaborative effort between FDS and the German implementing agency, GIZ.

Financial support is provided by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU), supplemented by assistance from the European Union (EU), aligning with the Asean Peatland Management Strategy (APMS).

The objective is to advance sustainable peatland management by fostering cooperation among agencies. This initiative aims to generate socioeconomic and environmental benefits, particularly within the Asean region.