BOH plants 600 trees in peat swamp forest to preserve biodiversi-tea

Although we don’t really hear the words “peat swamp forest“ or “peatlands” used much when it comes to Malaysia’s natural wonders, they’re actually a really important part of our ecosystem that plays a critical role in flood mitigation, curbing climate change, storing carbon and water, and preserving biodiversity. Essentially, peatlands are areas where water and forest meet, creating a waterlogged soil that prevents stuff from fully decomposing, creating a substance called peat.

Unfortunately, our peatlands have been under threat from land clearing and drainage development and agriculture, and it’s no different at the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR).

So, in conjunction with the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22nd, BOH Plantations, several partners, and some 130 volunteers stepped in to make a difference.

On May 20th, 130 volunteers planted 600 trees for sustainabili-tea

We didn’t even come up with that pun. It’s actually the theme for BOH’s sustainability programme – BOH, A Cup of Sustainabili-tea.

Most Malaysians are familiar with BOH, whether from their popular tea products or tea gardens in Cameron Highlands. However what many might not know is that they’ve been working on a long-term sustainability programme with several partners since 2015 which, as CEO Jason Foo says, is a non-negotiable target:

“As a company that owes much of our success and legacy to the environment, sustainability is non-negotiable to realise our goal to be a fully sustainable tea grower in the near future.” – Jason Foo, CEO of BOH Plantations

In KLNFR, efforts have been underway to restore it through rewetting (hydrology management), revegetation (planting trees) and reduction of fire (community based fire patrolling) in collaboration with Sahabat Gambut Asli Temuan (SGAT), Global Environment Centre (GEC) and the Selangor State Forestry Department (SSFD). And the reason why KLNFR is extra-important to BOH is, well, is because they’re neighbors:

“We prioritise a balanced ecosystem for surrounding forest lands at all our plantations. At BOH’s Bukit Cheeding plantation, which is uniquely adjacent to the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR), we maintain a buffer zone between our planted area to preserve the biodiversity and soil integrity.” – Jason Foo

This now includes sponsoring the tree-planting exercise along with the on-going care and maintenance of the trees.

You can help plant trees in KLNFR every month

If you’ve been inspired to volunteer, you don’t have to wait till the International Day for Biological Diversity next year. The tree planting exercise is actually part of a long-running Monthly Tree Planting programme jointly conducted by GEC, SSFD, Friends of North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest and SGAT.

The Global Environment Centre (GEC) is a non-profit organization that works on important environmental issues with like-minded partners. In regards to KLNFR, GEC Director Faizal Parish said:

“With the strong support of SSFD, active involvement of SGAT, supportive private-public partnerships as well as enhanced public engagement, we have been able to establish a sustainable peatland management approach that help in conserving peatland value, preserving our rich biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem services as well as controlling climate change.” – Faizal Parish, GEC Director

In other words, team work makes the dream work. 

If the desire to restore our peatlands has taken root within you,  you can head over to GEC’s website for more info on volunteering in future tree planting activities. 🌎