1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
The overarching objective is to ensure that Kota Damansara Community Forest Park is effectively managed by the local community in partnership with the local and state government. The goals were defined as follows:
1. To develop the first model system for the local resident expert groups to be involved in the conservation of biodiversity in local parks and open spaces through building capacity activities. This model may be replicated elsewhere in Malaysia (1).
2. To develop a biodiversity master plan including an inventory to help the reserve to function as a forest ecosystem, a wildlife habitat, a water body and a recreation area (1).
3. To harness the traditional knowledge and expertise of Temuan (local indigenous group) for medicinal plant conservation by establishing an ethnobotanical garden (1).
4. To conserve and protect various species of trees, woody climbers, herbaceous plants, as well as freshwater fish such as Toman (giant snakehead), myriad aquatic insects, frogs and snails (2).
5. To serve as a Riparian Buffer Zone (RBZ) / Riparian Forest Buffer (RFB), an important rehabilitation zone between land and water that promotes the protection of aquatic life and terrestrial wildlife habitat (7).
6. To use the park facilities to generate income towards the sustainability of the park in the long term (1).
7. To establish more awareness raising and information dissemination, documentation and nature trails, along with the training of more nature guides and interpretive experts (1).
8. To conserve tree populations that will eventually contribute significantly to the sequestration of carbon (2).
1. To develop the first model system for the local resident expert groups to be involved in the conservation of biodiversity in local parks and open spaces through building capacity activities. This model may be replicated elsewhere in Malaysia (1).
2. To develop a biodiversity master plan including an inventory to help the reserve to function as a forest ecosystem, a wildlife habitat, a water body and a recreation area (1).
3. To harness the traditional knowledge and expertise of Temuan (local indigenous group) for medicinal plant conservation by establishing an ethnobotanical garden (1).
4. To conserve and protect various species of trees, woody climbers, herbaceous plants, as well as freshwater fish such as Toman (giant snakehead), myriad aquatic insects, frogs and snails (2).
5. To serve as a Riparian Buffer Zone (RBZ) / Riparian Forest Buffer (RFB), an important rehabilitation zone between land and water that promotes the protection of aquatic life and terrestrial wildlife habitat (7).
6. To use the park facilities to generate income towards the sustainability of the park in the long term (1).
7. To establish more awareness raising and information dissemination, documentation and nature trails, along with the training of more nature guides and interpretive experts (1).
8. To conserve tree populations that will eventually contribute significantly to the sequestration of carbon (2).
Quantitative targets
- An area of 321 ha to be conserved and protected
- A population of 500,000 to benefit from the intervention
- A 800 meters long ethnobotanical garden is to be created
- A total of approx. 290 plant species to be protected (2 are rare plant species, Begonia aequilateralis grows on the bank of clean freshwater streams under the intact primary-forest canopy, and Cryptocoryne minima grows in low-lying freshwater swamps, to be protected from any negative impacts and to be reintroduced at Medicinal Herb Garden)
- A total of 357 vertebrae species are to be protected
- An undisclosed number of invasive plants are to be removed. (1,2,4,5)
- A population of 500,000 to benefit from the intervention
- A 800 meters long ethnobotanical garden is to be created
- A total of approx. 290 plant species to be protected (2 are rare plant species, Begonia aequilateralis grows on the bank of clean freshwater streams under the intact primary-forest canopy, and Cryptocoryne minima grows in low-lying freshwater swamps, to be protected from any negative impacts and to be reintroduced at Medicinal Herb Garden)
- A total of 357 vertebrae species are to be protected
- An undisclosed number of invasive plants are to be removed. (1,2,4,5)
Monitoring indicators defined
- Size of the area benefiting from the intervention
- Number of people benefiting directly and indirectly
- Size of the area of the ethnobotanical garden
- Number of plant and animal species to be protected. (1,2,4,5)
- Number of people benefiting directly and indirectly
- Size of the area of the ethnobotanical garden
- Number of plant and animal species to be protected. (1,2,4,5)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change mitigation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
The intervention was initiated in 2010 when SGP awarded a grant to the Damansara Residency Residents' Association (DRRA) Committee (an entity that manages the reserve) in order to achieve its conservation and protection objectives. Previous to any action, studies were undertaken and included mapping of plant conservation areas to protect "2 endemic species found within the reserve, camera trapping to ascertain the wildlife species found within the forest, and distribution of forest types and quality of cover in order to prescribe rehabilitation efforts" (1). It was concluded that the reserve keeps intact significant populations of plants and animals which show the rich biodiversity of the area. Furthermore, there was regular liaison through meetings and consultations with the Forestry Department and local council. Ecologists from Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and MNS were consulted prior to finalising the alignment of new trails to ensure all patches of rare plants are avoided. 14km of trails have been constructed in phases including one for the disabled community. 5 mountain biking cum hiking trails have been constructed (Scouts trail, Temuan trail, Sahabat trail, Harmoni trail, Unity trail) which make up over 10km according to International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) (1,2,5).
The Ethnobotanical garden established has 800 meters and more than 100 useful plants have been documented. The garden is used by the Temuan community for food, flavouring, medicine, craft and building in their natural setting (5). Furthermore, a Medicinal Herb Garden which serves as a nursery to propagate rare plant species was set up by the local indigenous people, Orang Asli, who possess the expertise and traditional knowledge in medicinal herbs and plants (1).
The Ethnobotanical garden established has 800 meters and more than 100 useful plants have been documented. The garden is used by the Temuan community for food, flavouring, medicine, craft and building in their natural setting (5). Furthermore, a Medicinal Herb Garden which serves as a nursery to propagate rare plant species was set up by the local indigenous people, Orang Asli, who possess the expertise and traditional knowledge in medicinal herbs and plants (1).
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
It is not specified that the innovation has been inspired by previous initiatives.
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
There is consensus that the intervention should establish the park to become a model that could be subsequently replicated, upscaled and mainstreamed for sustainability elsewhere. (1)
