species and genetic diversity), Target 7 (By 2025, vulnerable ecosystems and
habitats, particularly limestone hills, wetlands, coral reeds and seagrass beds, are
adequately protected and restored) and Key Indicator 7.3 (By 2025, 10,000 ha of
degraded peat swamp forests have been rehabilitated).
In order to achieve the Key Indicator, Malaysia is supporting the implementation
of the NAPP, in particular the activities related to assessment, protection and
rehabilitation, integrated management, fire prevention and control. Specific measures to rehabilitate peatlands have been undertaken in Selangor and Pahang States,
while measures to prevent peatland fires have been supported in seven states (DOE
2019a, b). At the same time, further assessments of peatland biodiversity as well as
its role in carbon storage and greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission are being undertaken. The relevant stakeholders have been implementing strict conservation measures for the PSFs and rehabilitating non-timber forest products at degraded portions
of the PSF areas.
26.4.3 National Physical Plan (NPP)
PSFs are recognised by the Government of Malaysia as an Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) under Section 6B of the Town and Country Planning 1976 (Act
172) and included in the National Physical Plans (NPP 1–3
2 ) (Parish et al. 2019b).
The National Physical Plan (NPP) of Malaysia has designated ESA where natural
landscapes are in tremendous threat from rapid land use change and other anthropogenic activities. It emphasises on some environmental issues that are responsible
for such degradation, such as forest fragmentation, wetland destruction,
degazettement of protected areas for economic development, highland development
and coastal degradation. All PSFs in forest reserves have been classified at ESA
Level 1 which means that no construction, development or large-scale extraction
should take place within them. However for implementation, the NPP needs to be
incorporated into State Structure Plans and Local Development Plans which take a
significant period of time. Since all peatlands are under the jurisdiction of the State
governments—not all peatlands have been protected as ESA and some are still
subject to logging and development.
2 NPP1 was approved in April 2005 for the use in Peninsular Malaysia, planning period till 2020, for
implementation 2006–2020. NPP2 was approved in August 2010 for the use in Peninsular Malaysia, planning period till 2020, for implementation till 2011–2015. NPP3 was approved in July 2016
for the use in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan for implementation 2016–2020 and guidance
for the planning period till 2040.
696
F. Parish et al.
habitats, particularly limestone hills, wetlands, coral reeds and seagrass beds, are
adequately protected and restored) and Key Indicator 7.3 (By 2025, 10,000 ha of
degraded peat swamp forests have been rehabilitated).
In order to achieve the Key Indicator, Malaysia is supporting the implementation
of the NAPP, in particular the activities related to assessment, protection and
rehabilitation, integrated management, fire prevention and control. Specific measures to rehabilitate peatlands have been undertaken in Selangor and Pahang States,
while measures to prevent peatland fires have been supported in seven states (DOE
2019a, b). At the same time, further assessments of peatland biodiversity as well as
its role in carbon storage and greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission are being undertaken. The relevant stakeholders have been implementing strict conservation measures for the PSFs and rehabilitating non-timber forest products at degraded portions
of the PSF areas.
26.4.3 National Physical Plan (NPP)
PSFs are recognised by the Government of Malaysia as an Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) under Section 6B of the Town and Country Planning 1976 (Act
172) and included in the National Physical Plans (NPP 1–3
2 ) (Parish et al. 2019b).
The National Physical Plan (NPP) of Malaysia has designated ESA where natural
landscapes are in tremendous threat from rapid land use change and other anthropogenic activities. It emphasises on some environmental issues that are responsible
for such degradation, such as forest fragmentation, wetland destruction,
degazettement of protected areas for economic development, highland development
and coastal degradation. All PSFs in forest reserves have been classified at ESA
Level 1 which means that no construction, development or large-scale extraction
should take place within them. However for implementation, the NPP needs to be
incorporated into State Structure Plans and Local Development Plans which take a
significant period of time. Since all peatlands are under the jurisdiction of the State
governments—not all peatlands have been protected as ESA and some are still
subject to logging and development.
2 NPP1 was approved in April 2005 for the use in Peninsular Malaysia, planning period till 2020, for
implementation 2006–2020. NPP2 was approved in August 2010 for the use in Peninsular Malaysia, planning period till 2020, for implementation till 2011–2015. NPP3 was approved in July 2016
for the use in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan for implementation 2016–2020 and guidance
for the planning period till 2040.
696
F. Parish et al.