Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP), a Palm oil based in Malaysia, announced plans to restore 400 hectares of peatlands.
The company announced on November 26 that instead of replanting palm trees on peatlands at SDP's Sarawak operation in East Malaysia, it will restore the area to become a functional peatland ecosystem.
The project will involve a partnership with the Sarawak Forestry Department (FDS), which will provide seedlings and technical expertise, as stated in the SDP.
In the first phase of the plan, FDS will provide 30,000 seedlings, which SDP will plant in a 50-hectare area at the company's Lavang Estate from January.
Peatland rehabilitation project in Malaysia
The company highlighted that the project is part of SDP's peatland rehabilitation initiative. This initiative is co-funded by the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF).
In March, MPOGCF signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Through it, he agreed to contribute RM1.48M (US$317,222) to the SDP. The purpose is to rehabilitate and restore 50 hectares of peatland, as announced by the company.
FDS will provide seedlings and technical knowledge; in addition, a total of RM300,000 (US$64,300) will be allocated by SDP to pay for these services. Previously, SDP Group Managing Director Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha emphasized the company's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This includes the restoration and rehabilitation of peatland areas previously cultivated with palm trees.
However, because the peat areas have high water tables and are susceptible to flooding, SDP identified the availability of suitable plant species as the main challenge of the project. Eventually, to date, FDS has provided 10 peatland-related tree species such as Ramin, Gelam, Pulai, Nyatuh and Medang.
Therefore, we will use the remaining amount for activities such as biodiversity assessments, planting and maintenance of the area, community engagement and other actions related to the project.
Source: Oils & Fats International
