Background

Ulu Muda Forest Complex faces a range of pressures, including logging, which can affect river water quality, and the conversion of natural forest to plantations. WWF-Malaysia has worked with local communities and state authorities in the landscape for more than 20 years. This project supports Kedah state's efforts to address risks to food production and regional water resources, while contributing to climate adaptation and forest conservation objectives, through strengthened management of both, production and protection forests. These measures are intended to support biodiversity conservation and ecological resilience across the Ulu Muda landscape.

Scope of Work

To support the conservation and management of the Ulu Muda Forest Complex, the project’s focus is on strengthening forest governance and forest management practices. This includes advocating for an enhanced protection status of a water catchment forest, supporting local knowledge of ecological processes, strengthening collaboration with stakeholders operating within the forest, and supporting the management of production forest and protected areas. WWF is developing recommendations aimed at maintaining forest integrity within a recently expanded ecological linkage between Ulu Muda and a neighbouring forest complex. In addition, the project strengthens WWF’s engagement with local communities to help reduce poaching activities and incidences of human-wildlife conflict.