Challenges in Creating Coastal Buffer Zones

By WAN SHAHARA AHMAD GHAZALI The second of this three-part article highlights the challenges in creating coastal buffer zones. KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- The mangrove and other suitable species planting programme was introduced on April 14, 2005, four months after the tsunami that struck at the end of 2004. The Forestry Department has successfully planted 2,260 hectares of mangroves and other suitable species of plants along Malaysia’s shores. The Forestry Research Institute (FRIM) has been conducting a comprehensive study with regard to the programme. FRIM’s Social Studies Group, headed by Dr Lim Hin Fui, looks at the social and economic problems faced by local communities. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS The group conducted a study in the planting areas in six states - Perlis, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Pahang, and Terengganu between 2009 and 2010 - to understand the impact of the programme on locals. Lim explained that the main focus of the study was to understand the impact of the programme on locals who depended on open shorelines for their livelihood. The group had to ensure that the programme did not affect the livelihood of locals. The team received feedback from 578 people, representing 55 percent of the households in 12 affected villages located along coastal areas. Some of the villages are Kampung Simpang Empat in Selangor, Kampung Pulau Ketam and Kampung Seberang Alor both in Perlis, Kampung Teluk Senangin (Perak), and Kampung Serandu and Kampung Tanjung Selangor in Pahang. The remaining six villages are located along the coastline of the Setiu district in Terengganu. DESTRUCTION The team took time to understand the problems faced by locals in buffer zones. In the buffer zones, trees were easily damaged and there was interference from local and foreign fishermen, and animals. In Selangor, the signage indicating the planting programme was damaged twice. In Pahang, the fencing was cut to allow a passage to the sea and the cut portion was used as a grill for a barbecue event. In Terengganu, a section of the fence was cut and used as a hammock at a nearby resting hut. Planting areas in Perak that were not fenced were trespassed by vehicles and campers. Branches of trees were used as fishing rods or for starting fire. According to Lim, broken fences allowed farm animals like cows and goats to enter buffer zones and desecrate pine trees. There was an incident in Perak where campers left the area without extinguishing their bonfire. The fire spread through dry grasses and destroyed pine trees. In Perlis, fishermen, including foreign fishermen, entered mangrove planting areas to catch crabs. In Setiu, most of the trespassers were locals, who created a path to the sea through mangrove planting areas. NOT WELL INFORMED "These blatant acts of destruction happened because there was no proper communication between the locals and authorities. Hence, locals were unaware of their role in preserving mangrove and pine trees," explained Lim. Locals informed the team that they were not told of the buffer zone and various activities that were being carried out to protect the coastlines. For example, a fisherman from Kampung Pulau Ketam in Perlis lamented to the researchers that he was not told of the mangrove planting programme in the area where he used to catch crabs for a living. Others were angry that they were kept in the dark about the programme that literally blocked the route they had been taking to get to the sea. WANT TO BE INVOLVED On the whole, the utilisation of rehabilitated mangrove forests and sandy beaches has been reduced from 76 percent to 60 percent, thanks to the fencing of the area and the signage reminding people about the planting programme. According to FRIM, three out of every four respondents were keen on participating in the programme in their respective areas. In Perlis, help has been sought from the Marine Police to keep foreign fishermen away from the planted areas to ensure the project's success. PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM Lim's team believes that future conservation activities can be carried out after knowing how a particular location is utilised by locals. This can be achieved by working closely with local chiefs and rolling out awareness campaigns on the importance of buffer zones which have mangrove and pine trees. Villagers should be involved in the programme. "We understand that locals are a part of the ecosystem and can effectively contribute to the success of the programme," said Lim. -- BERNAMA