BELIEVING THAT communities are the best protectors of their green surroundings, especially in urban areas, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) has put this to the test over its long history as the country’s oldest environmental NGO.
And the results are encouraging, with efforts over the years including the protection of Templer’s Park, Kota Damansara Community Forest, Bukit Kiara, Bukit Gasing and Batu Caves. Within urban areas outside of the Klang Valley, MNS has worked on the Penang National Park, Kuala Selangor Nature Park and Piasau in Miri, among others.
Current ongoing projects include the Society’s support for Taman Tugu and its setting up of the Urban Community Forest Bukit Persekutuan, both in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and whose presence can only be beneficial for the wellbeing of its residents and visitors.
Now MNS is taking the urban forest and community link beyond its borders, with the Urban Community Forest (UCF) Network, a platform to share knowledge, information, experience and skills in protecting and managing remnant or regenerating forests within urban spaces around the world.
And the results are encouraging, with efforts over the years including the protection of Templer’s Park, Kota Damansara Community Forest, Bukit Kiara, Bukit Gasing and Batu Caves. Within urban areas outside of the Klang Valley, MNS has worked on the Penang National Park, Kuala Selangor Nature Park and Piasau in Miri, among others.
Current ongoing projects include the Society’s support for Taman Tugu and its setting up of the Urban Community Forest Bukit Persekutuan, both in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and whose presence can only be beneficial for the wellbeing of its residents and visitors.
Now MNS is taking the urban forest and community link beyond its borders, with the Urban Community Forest (UCF) Network, a platform to share knowledge, information, experience and skills in protecting and managing remnant or regenerating forests within urban spaces around the world.
The aspiration, says its key man Sonny Wong, MNS Wetlands and Marine Conservation Manager, is to bring together non-state actors – NGOs, civil society organisations, local communities, the public and the corporate sector – both among those already successful in protecting and managing urban forests and those seeking inspiration to start.
“We believe and we have seen that nonstate actors are key to protecting and managing these remnant forests, and their experience and skills could benefit other groups and organisations who are interested in creating their own Urban Community Forest programmes,” Wong said in the run up to the announcement of the UCF Network at the ninth edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF) held here in Kuala Lumpur in February.
During WUF 2018, MNS conducted a networking session titled “Role of non-state actors in the protection of urban green environment – Case study: Malaysia”, presenting views from six proponents of forest spaces in urban areas for the wellbeing of the people.
“We believe and we have seen that nonstate actors are key to protecting and managing these remnant forests, and their experience and skills could benefit other groups and organisations who are interested in creating their own Urban Community Forest programmes,” Wong said in the run up to the announcement of the UCF Network at the ninth edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF) held here in Kuala Lumpur in February.
During WUF 2018, MNS conducted a networking session titled “Role of non-state actors in the protection of urban green environment – Case study: Malaysia”, presenting views from six proponents of forest spaces in urban areas for the wellbeing of the people.
L-R: Calvin Raqeem Jacob, TPr. Ishak Ariffin, Tan Sri Dr. Salleh Mohd Nor, Henry Goh, Ar. John Koh and Dr. Hum Bahadur Gurung.
UCF Networking Session speakers
Henry Goh, MNS President
Topic: MNS involvement in promoting and establishing Urban Community Forests
Ar. John Koh, MNS Board of Trustees Chairman
Topic: Blending hard and soft landscapes within an urban setting; human landscapes
Tan Sri Dr. Salleh Mohd Nor, former MNS President, current MNS Senior Advisor, Merdeka Award Winner for Environment
Topic: Conserving the last forest patches within the urban landscape
TPr. Ishak Ariffin, Malaysian Institute of Planners
Topic: Planning for the urban green environment and mainstreaming biodiversity
Dr. Hum Bahadur Gurung, BirdLife International
Topic: Environmental education and community outreach centres
Calvin Raqeem Jacob, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Taman Tugu Project Director
Topic: Taman Tugu & National Heritage Bill; private-sector funding
Henry Goh, MNS President
Topic: MNS involvement in promoting and establishing Urban Community Forests
Ar. John Koh, MNS Board of Trustees Chairman
Topic: Blending hard and soft landscapes within an urban setting; human landscapes
Tan Sri Dr. Salleh Mohd Nor, former MNS President, current MNS Senior Advisor, Merdeka Award Winner for Environment
Topic: Conserving the last forest patches within the urban landscape
TPr. Ishak Ariffin, Malaysian Institute of Planners
Topic: Planning for the urban green environment and mainstreaming biodiversity
Dr. Hum Bahadur Gurung, BirdLife International
Topic: Environmental education and community outreach centres
Calvin Raqeem Jacob, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Taman Tugu Project Director
Topic: Taman Tugu & National Heritage Bill; private-sector funding
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