Activities carried out from April – June 2023
This report summarises several activities undertaken from April – June 2023 under the recovery project of YPPH-GEC. The activities include community-based fire patrolling, fire suppression at the plantation boundary, installation of canal blocks, regular drone surveillance, fire awareness programme in peatland and planting activity at experimental plot.

1. Community-based fire patrolling
   The community patrolling along the Sg. Bebar at Kg. Meranti have reported an encroachment activity into the Nenasi Forest Reserve. The GPS coordinates of the encroachment activity have been shared to Pahang State Forestry Department for investigation. The patrollers also assisted in verifying information on fire hotspots data near Bebar River, which is close to the YPPH plantation boundary. Meanwhile, patroller from Kg Baharu Cenderawasih reported a fire incident to the Pekan Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba). The floating pump that was supplied in March was utilized to extinguish the fire in the pineapple farm. The patrollers from Kg Meranti also reported a fire incident to the Nenasi Bomba. Posters about the Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS) have been distributed to the community in Kg Cenderawasih to remind the local residents not to do open burning. An additional floating water pump has also been supplied to the Kg Meranti community.
2. Fire suppression at Ladang Pekan Timur dan Ladang Sg Bebar Selatan
   A peatland fire incident was detected outside the Ladang Pekan Timur (LPT) area at the end of March 2023. The affected area belongs to Dataran Budiman. YPPH took immediate action to control the fire, including blocking drainage canals in the area, creating firebreaks, implementing 24-hour monitoring, and assisting Dataran Budiman and the Bomba in extinguishing the flames/burning. GEC also provided additional support, technical advice, and cooperation to the Bomba, Department of Environment (DOE), and the estate. Two high-powered water pumps (5 cubic meters/second) were borrowed from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) to rewet the burned area and raise water level along the LPT boundaries. YPPH also temporary assisted with pump operation by providing operator and fuel for the pump. Another fire incident was also reported at the border of the Ladang Sungai Bebar Selatan (LSBS) in May 2023. GEC provided additional assistance to the estate by lending drones and water pumps for the operation. The collaborative efforts and swift actions of YPPH and GEC successfully prevented the fire from spreading into the estate and limiting the extent in the recovery project area.
3. Construction of canal blocks
   In preparation for El-Nino related drought, several canal blocks were constructed to raise the water level at the border of the estate and the nearby community area. By June 2023, 5 canal blocks were built in the recovery project area at the northern border of YPPH Pekan Timur Estate, and another 4 canal blocks were constructed at Kg. Baharu Cenderawasih. These canal blocks played crucial role in providing adequate water source for extinguishing the fire in May.
4. Regular drone surveillance
   Aerial images were captured using drone to survey the estate’s border area, monitor the progress of canal block construction and assess the curent status of burned area. Daily observation of the burned area was conducted from mid May until June 2023. The aerial footage was shared to Bomba, Department of Environment (JAS), Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) and other relevent stakeholders to support fire control measures.
5. Fire awareness
   The fire prevention awareness campaign was held for the second time at Kg. Meranti on 24 June 2023. A community fire brigade was established on that day and successfully recruited 10 volunteers. The awareness campaign included a talk by Bomba from Nenasi; and the Department of Environment Pahang (JAS) participated by showcasing their exhibition materials to provide information about peatland fire.
6. Planting at experimental plot
   On 24 June 2023, a planting activity involved peat trees species was conducted at an experimental plot in Kg. Meranti. A total of 50 saplings were planted, including pulai, durian, tenggek burung and mahang, which had been grown by nursery keepers from Kg. Meranti.
7. Meeting with relevant stakeholders
   Two meetings with relevant stakeholders were held on 13 April 2023 involving GEC, YPPH, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), Department of Environment (JAS) and Pahang State Forestry Department. The discussions focused on El Nino issues and recommended steps for fire prevention in peatland area such as construction and repair of canal blocks. Representatives from GEC and YPPH also participated in the Stakeholder Workshop on Sustainable Peatland Management for the State of Pahang that was held from 23-24 May 2023 at Ancasa Royale Hotel in Pekan.