Central Forest Spine
Malaysia’s Lifeline for Biodiversity and Water Security
Straddling 6.71 million hectares across eight states and 58 districts in Peninsular Malaysia, the Central Forest Spine (CFS) is the backbone that sustains life in the region, providing up to 90% of the peninsula’s water supply. Many diverse ecosystems and endangered species call this place home, including the Malayan tiger, the Asian elephant, the Malayan tapir, the Malayan sun bear, and the hornbills, as well as ERT flora species such as the rafflesia and slipper orchids.
The CFS is crucial for preserving Malaysia’s rich biodiversity, serving as a natural corridor for species to migrate, disperse, and interact, which is essential for their survival. The area’s degradation would have profound and long-lasting consequences, disrupting vital ecosystem services like water regulation and climate stabilisation, endangering the livelihoods of surrounding communities, heightening human-wildlife conflict, and straining the national economy.
Through initiatives and projects with key partners, YSD’s multi-faceted approach in the CFS covers initiatives such as regreening, anti-poaching, and biodiversity protection and education.
The Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre aims to protect Malaysia’s endangered, rare, and threatened (ERT) species.
Key Initiative: Regreening
Partners: Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (TRCRC), SD Guthrie Berhad (SD Guthrie), Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (REACH)
YSD together with its partners have undertaken extensive tree-planting projects aimed at restoring degraded areas within the CFS. The Plant-A-Tree Programme with SD Guthrie, for example, has succeeded in regreening large swathes of forest, including in the Kamuning Estate in Perak, which saw over 70,000 trees planted on 95 hectares of land, serving as a corridor connecting forest patches within the estate to the Kledang Saiong Permanent Forest Reserve.
95,318 trees planted
115 hectares covered
86 types of Endangered, Rare & Threatened (ERT) species Identified
MEME’s work involves a variety of initiatives, including monitoring movement and behaviour as well as research to help craft effective protection policies for Malaysia’s wild elephants.
Key Initiative: Anti-poaching
Partners: Nature Based Solutions (NBS), Perak State Park Corporation (PSPC), RIMAU
YSD supports anti-poaching initiatives to combat illegal wildlife trade and protect endangered species like the Malayan tiger. Working with PSPC, YSD’s 4th phase of funding as part of conservation efforts at Royal Belum State Park equipped local forest patrols with even more sophisticated monitoring technologies, strengthening the park’s defensive measures.
172 snares found
5 poachers arrested
Patrolled up to
1,895 days
36,689 km covered
Orang Asli rangers marking trails on their map.
Key Initiative: Human-wildlife Coexistence through biodiversity protection and education
Partners: Malaysian Elephant Management and Ecology (MEME), GAIA, RIMAU
YSD’s partnerships with MEME, GAIA, and RIMAU support research, monitoring, and community education programmes to increase understanding and appreciation of the CFS’s ecological value. The MEME project, which began in 2012, focuses on conservation research for Asian elephants, and has nurtured a new generation of wildlife researchers and managers, whilst putting into place effective management measures for Human-Elephant conflict. Meanwhile, YSD’s work with GAIA supports the conservation of endangered hornbills by providing artificial nest boxes to increase populations. YSD’s support for RIMAU also extends to providing basic literacy to Jahai children through our Menraq Junior programme in Royal Belum, to inspire a conservation-minded generation dedicated to the future of the Malayan Tiger.
54 elephants collared
2 bioacoustics early warning system prototype deployed
155,919 audience engaged since 2010
15 artificial nests installed
206 awareness activities conducted since 2010
The CFS is the lifeblood of the region, supplying 90% of the peninsula’s water supply.
YSD’s efforts in the CFS contribute to the global sustainability goals by promoting the sustainable use and management of terrestrial ecosystems and supporting urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. As the saying goes, we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
WildRoots
WildRoots is a four-part docuseries released by YSD, shining a spotlight on initiatives within the CFS and the amazing people behind them. Shot across twelve locations, the series brought the CFS to life on film whilst addressing pressing issues like habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict.
4 states covered
12 sites covered
4,007 km travelled
Total Funding
RM27 million over 8 initiatives in 4 states, Perak, Pahang, Johor, and Terengganu
YSD Track Series
Over a Decade and Counting: Empowering the Malaysian Track Cycling Scene
