Decentralization of forest governance in Peninsular Malaysia: The case of peatland swamp forest in North Selangor, Malaysia (original) (raw)

Elsevier eBooks, 2021

Abstract

Abstract The peatland swamp forests (PSFs) represent a unique wetland ecosystem of distinctive hydrology, home to unique and rare habitats and species, and globally significant stores of soil carbon. Although Malaysia has significant amount of global PSF, a huge area has been converted mainly to agriculture, oil palm, and infrastructure development. The destruction of PSFs not only affects the environment but also affects the communities living in and around the PSFs, who rely on PSF ecosystem services for their livelihoods. To conserve PSFs and to sustain their ecological and socioeconomic functions, the Selangor State Forestry Department in collaboration with Global Environment Center (GEC, an NGO), local communities and other stakeholders recently introduced decentralized forest governance aiming at community-based restoration of PSF and uplifting local development. However, the understandings of decentralization approach in peatland forest governance and their outcomes are very little. Hence, this article reviews the state of decentralized peatland forest governance and its outcomes in terms of PSF conservation and local development through an extensive survey of available relevant literature. The study confirms that the forestry department delegated limited authority to the GEC for PSF restoration and stakeholders’ engagement. The GEC built social capital in the form of local associations and networks with corporate agencies, government and international bodies, and environmental enthusiasts. The regular participation of multistakeholders in reforestation activities and locals’ involvement in awareness and motivational events created a conducive environment for sustainable PSF conservation. Even though local people participate in rehabilitation activities, they have no real participation on program decision-making. Community development activities are also very limited. So sustainability of this collaboration remains a major challenge. The review concludes by noting that to make decentralized peatland forest governance effective and sustainable a strong forestry department-community-NGO partnership is needed; more socioeconomic activities and an institutional framework are of utmost importance.

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