Given New Breath Improved Ic Cfs Project To Pave Way For The Cfs

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IC-CFS project reveals a new plan to support the conservation of Malaysia’s priority landscapes

Dato’ Hj. Zahari IbrahimThe Improving Connectivity in the Central Forest Spine (IC-CFS) Project embarked on a new chapter, recently revealing a polished work plan to enhance and strengthen efforts to implement the CFS Master Plan in Malaysia. A new and improved project logo was also unveiled to mark the revitalisation of the Project.

Led by the Government of Malaysia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the IC-CFS project aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of federal and state governments and other relevant agencies to better plan, manage and conserve major forest landscapes in Perak, Pahang, and Johor. It also envisions to set up sustainable financing mechanisms including alternative funding sources such as Payment-for-Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes for the conservation of the CFS. Led by the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM), its success lies in the close collaboration with two other vital partner agencies – the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP).

To date, the CFS Master Plan has successfully restored and preserved 609 hectares of forest habitat, and a total of 23,735 hectares of state land were gazetted and declared as Permanent Forest Reserves (PRFs) within its ecological corridors. Together with DWNP and key non-governmental organisations, the project has engaged local community rangers to protect iconic wildlife species specifically in HS. Tanum – Sg. Yu (Pahang), HS Temenggor – HS Belum (Perak), and HS Labis Timur-HS Mersing-HS Lenggor and HS Panti – HS Ulu Sedili, both in Johor. The Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) will also be piloted by the Forestry Department to achieve an integrated enforcement approach for the CFS landscape.

The project also accentuates sustainable livelihood initiatives for the Orang Asli community through community-based programs and prioritizes the rehabilitation of wildlife habitats in the three tiger-priority landscapes. Efforts such as this will continue throughout the project period.

Dato’ Hj. Zahari Ibrahim, National Project Director – Improving Connectivity in the Central Forest Spine (IC-CFS) Landscape said, “We hope this renewed approach through the IC-CFS project would bring positive impact to the continuous implementation of the CFS Master Plan in re-establishing connectivity between forest blocks and protecting our precious biodiversity and forest ecosystem.”

“This project is meant to provide cohesive sustainable planning that could preserve our precious flora and fauna for future generations. The efforts of rehabilitating landscapes and piloting integrated forest landscape management would bring great benefits to the country and its people in the decades to come.”

In months to come, the IC-CFS project will be rolling out a suite of other activities – ranging from consultation with stakeholders for gazettement of corridors, training and capacity building, tree planting initiatives, and education and awareness programs. “A healthy ecosystem is our most valuable treasure that could not be traded with modernity. They are not meant to be conflicting with one another, but rather to coexist harmoniously” added Zahari

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