Authors:
Peter Sawal and Tsai Koh Fen
Book:
Proceedings of the 15th International Peat Congress
Venue:
Kuching
Keywords:
controlled-open-burning, fire-danger-rating-system, good-management-practices, irreversible-peat-degradation, socioeconomic-livelihoods
Documentfile:
ipc16p88-92a287sawaltsai.pdf
Summary:
SUMMARY
Traditionally, peatlands in Sarawak are only utilised and harvested for timber and non-timber forest products. However, with the advent of scientific, technological innovations and good management practices it is possible to develop these problematic peatlands into major economic crops such as oil palm, sago and other cash crops. Thenative land owners are also riding on the bandwagon in developing their customary peatlands for cash crops such as oil palm to enhance their socio-economic livelihoods. The opening up of rural peatlands provides impetous for infrastructure, public utilities and telecommunications development to many inaccessible coastal settlements and other rural areas. Recognising the significant roles of peatlands for biodiversity conservation, storage of organic