Transplanting wild seedlings at the nursery

The original of this article was written in Japanese and can be found here.

Since 1995, the Japan Malaysia Association (JMA) has been carrying out tree-planting activities in Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, with the support of corporations, organizations, and individual donors. Our work centers on restoring lowland tropical rainforest vegetation in logged secondary forests, primarily through planting native species including Dipterocarpaceae. Since 2017, we have also been working to conserve wetland forests through mangrove planting.

From 2018, JMA expanded its mangrove restoration work to Kedah State on the Malay Peninsula, and now runs rainforest restoration programs in both Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia.

After the COVID-19 pandemic triggered strict movement control orders in Malaysia, many social activities were suspended. However, tree-planting activities were able to continue throughout — with government authorization — thanks to local community members who kept up seedling cultivation, tree maintenance, and planting work.

As vaccination rates rose in Malaysia, new COVID-19 cases declined, all restrictions were eventually lifted, and social and economic activities have since returned to normal.

JMA continues to operate in accordance with Malaysian government guidelines, with health and safety as our top priority. This report covers activities from January through April of this year, following on from the previous issue.

Activities in Sarawak

● Rainforest Restoration

In the Serian District, at Apan National Park, Sabal National Park, and the surrounding protected forest areas, JMA is implementing several projects in partnership with state government agencies, universities, and local communities. These include the “Community-Based Tropical Rainforest Restoration Project in Indigenous Communities of Sarawak,” supported by Mitsubishi Corporation, as well as the “PPP Project” and the “JAC Recruitment Forest” project, both supported by JAC Recruitment.

At Apan National Park, trail maintenance work was carried out in January. Sections damaged by heavy rains were repaired in preparation for this year’s planting season.

Trail repair work

Durian trees planted in 2008 have now grown to full size and bore fruit for the very first time.

Durian fruit — a first harvest from trees planted in 2008

In addition, maintenance work on previously planted trees and seedling cultivation of native Dipterocarpaceae and other indigenous species was carried out.

Seedling cultivation at the nursery

At Sabal National Park, 2,000 native Dipterocarpaceae and indigenous fruit trees were planted, with a focus on heavily degraded grassland areas. Maintenance work was also conducted in previously planted zones.

On Saturday, March 22, as part of the JAC Recruitment Forest project, a tree-planting program was held with 60 participants from four villages near the project area.

Community members from nearby villages join the tree-planting program

On Monday, April 14 and Saturday, April 26, as part of the Mitsubishi Corporation-supported project, students and teachers from Sebankoi Mawan Primary School and Abuk Primary School in the project area took part in environmental education programs that included hands-on tree-planting activities.

Children learning how to plant trees

As part of the seedling cultivation program, wild seedlings (naturally grown saplings collected from the forest) of native Dipterocarpaceae and other indigenous species were gathered and transplanted into 15,000 nursery pots at the project nursery.

Transplanting wild seedlings into nursery pots

At Sampadi Forest Reserve in the Lundu District, maintenance work on previously planted trees was carried out in January as part of the “Dunlop Home Products Forest” project, supported by Dunlop Home Products Co., Ltd.

After undergrowth clearing

● Women’s Seedling Cultivation Program

To improve livelihoods and promote participatory programs among communities near the planting sites, JMA runs a seedling cultivation program led by village women. In February, 1,000 seedlings were purchased from villages near Sabal National Park.

Seedlings purchased from village women for the planting program

● Youth Training Program

At Apan National Park and schools in the surrounding area of Sarawak, JMA is running the “Kinoshita Forest Youth Training Program,” supported by Kinoshita Group Co., Ltd.

Local children experience tree planting firsthand

On Saturday, February 22, Mbok Belawan Primary School participated for the first time. A total of 41 people — 26 students, 12 teachers, and 3 state government officials — took part in tree-planting activities and environmental learning.