Tag Archives: peat swamp forest

Better Drainage Can Fight Floods

BFM recording - Drainage
Left: WIth BFM producer Juliet Jacobs (top left): Liani MK, SL Wong and Charles Bong; RIght: DID officers and consultants inspecting a drain to be widened under a flood mitigation project (Pic: Arieff Zafir)

12 November 2024: In this Earth Matters segment on BFM89.9FM Radio, we focus on how floods have been worsening in Kuching due to woefully outdated drainage.

But there are technological and funding solutions, say Assoc Prof Dr Charles Bong (urban drainage management researcher, UNIMAS),  Liani MK (journalist), and Macaranga’s Wong Siew Lyn. Produced by Juliet Jacobs on ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.

Based on our story Fighting Floods with Better Drainage in Kuching.

[The story is supported by Earth Journalism Network]

Shark Conservation 101 – What are ISRAs?

17 October 2024: Malaysia has new 10 Important Shark and Ray Areas, (ISRAs), critical habitats identified as critical for the conservation of shark and ray species based on scientific criteria.

To dissect the meaning of this new list are scientists Serena Adam (Marine Conservation Officer, WWF-Malaysia, member of the IUCN),  Assoc. Prof. Dr Amy Then (Senior Lecturer, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya), and Macarang’s Wong Siew Lyn (right to left in photo above). Produced by Juliet Jacobs on ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.

Based on our story Divers, Fishers and Scientists Map Sharks and Rays to Save Them and interactive map.

[The story is supported by a grant from Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL). The grant is administered by Justice for Wildlife Malaysia]

[Photo: BFM89.9 Radio]

The Heat on Peat – A Look at Tropical Peat Swamp Forests

17 October 2024: The Mak Jintan peat swamp forest in Terengganu is the last known virgin peat swamp in Peninsular Malaysia. When plans emerged to convert it into an oil palm plantation, it sparked significant concern among scientists, conservationists, and even an industry regulator.

Macaranga journalist Law Yao Hua speaks to Juliet Jacobs about the impact of this on biodiversity, carbon storage and water regulation on ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.

Based on our  story, The climate-friendly virgin in Terengganu.

[The story is supported by a grant from Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL). The grant is administered by Justice for Wildlife Malaysia]

The Climate-friendly Virgin in Terengganu

Tropical peat swamp forests are key bastions in our defense against global warming. They store huge amounts of carbon in their soil, and their forests absorb more greenhouse gases than they release. 

Malaysia, like many other countries, has established regulations to stop the exploitation of peatland.

But private company Pure Green Development Sdn Bhd  is seeking to convert forests in Terengganu into oil palm. Its 2,228ha site includes 900 ha of virgin peat swamp forest. 

We look at the project’s catastrophic climate impact and ways to protect the forest.

Read our interactive story and share your thoughts with us below.