The SOP and draft Master Plan were formulated in line with the Malaysian
National Haze Action Plan, which is a component of the ASEAN Regional Haze
Action Plan. Among others, the document provides guidelines relating to the
responsibilities of various government agencies and chains of command in response
to large-scale forest and peatland fires.
26.7 State Coordination on Peatland Management
Management of peatlands in Malaysia fragmented between Federal, State and
several related departments. Forestry Department is managing any land including
peat inside forest boundary, while agriculture departments and plantation agencies,
local government, private sector and communities are managing land outside forest
reserves. However, the management of peatland areas in Malaysia comes under the
jurisdiction of the State Government wherein the peatland is found. Table 26.7
describes the agencies and stakeholders at state level with important roles related
to peatland management.
26.7.1 Integrated Management Plan (IMP)
Integrated management plans (IMPs) have been developed for large peatland complexes in Selangor and Pahang as well as management plans for selected peatland
sites in Sabah and Sarawak. The plan generated will be used to promote the
conservation and sustainable use of peatland while maintaining the forest’s ecological integrity and hydrological functions. The IMP forms its main output and
articulates the aspects and actions which are critical to the long-term survival of
peatland ecosystems.
The IMP is an indispensable tool for planning sustainable forest management for
peatland. The IMP is a “site specific” document that focuses on threat removal and
conservation. With guidance from a specialist, the IMP was adjusted to suit the site
specification and local ecological condition. Full context of biological diversity
conservation such as ecosystem principles, multi-stakeholder participation and benefit sharing was carried out through the development of these IMPs.
Key principles for IMPs as given in guidelines for IMP for peatland forests in
Southeast Asia (D’Cruz 2014) include recognition of:
1. the critical function of tropical peatland forests in retaining and distributing water
across the river basin landscape;
2. the complex interaction of climate, hydrology, geology, ecology and time on the
creation and evolution of peatland forests in the tropical region;
3. the need for inter-disciplinary collaboration and coordination when working
towards integrated management planning;
26 National Strategies on Responsible Management of Tropical Peatland in Malaysia
705
National Haze Action Plan, which is a component of the ASEAN Regional Haze
Action Plan. Among others, the document provides guidelines relating to the
responsibilities of various government agencies and chains of command in response
to large-scale forest and peatland fires.
26.7 State Coordination on Peatland Management
Management of peatlands in Malaysia fragmented between Federal, State and
several related departments. Forestry Department is managing any land including
peat inside forest boundary, while agriculture departments and plantation agencies,
local government, private sector and communities are managing land outside forest
reserves. However, the management of peatland areas in Malaysia comes under the
jurisdiction of the State Government wherein the peatland is found. Table 26.7
describes the agencies and stakeholders at state level with important roles related
to peatland management.
26.7.1 Integrated Management Plan (IMP)
Integrated management plans (IMPs) have been developed for large peatland complexes in Selangor and Pahang as well as management plans for selected peatland
sites in Sabah and Sarawak. The plan generated will be used to promote the
conservation and sustainable use of peatland while maintaining the forest’s ecological integrity and hydrological functions. The IMP forms its main output and
articulates the aspects and actions which are critical to the long-term survival of
peatland ecosystems.
The IMP is an indispensable tool for planning sustainable forest management for
peatland. The IMP is a “site specific” document that focuses on threat removal and
conservation. With guidance from a specialist, the IMP was adjusted to suit the site
specification and local ecological condition. Full context of biological diversity
conservation such as ecosystem principles, multi-stakeholder participation and benefit sharing was carried out through the development of these IMPs.
Key principles for IMPs as given in guidelines for IMP for peatland forests in
Southeast Asia (D’Cruz 2014) include recognition of:
1. the critical function of tropical peatland forests in retaining and distributing water
across the river basin landscape;
2. the complex interaction of climate, hydrology, geology, ecology and time on the
creation and evolution of peatland forests in the tropical region;
3. the need for inter-disciplinary collaboration and coordination when working
towards integrated management planning;
26 National Strategies on Responsible Management of Tropical Peatland in Malaysia
705