MEDIA ADVISORY

WORLD WETLANDS DAY 2012 CELEBRATION AT RAJA MUSA FOREST RESERVE

Theme: Wetlands and Tourism
The Global Environment Centre (GEC) in collaboration with the Selangor State Government, Forestry Department, Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) and HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad is hosting World Wetlands Day 2012 celebration on 18th February 2012 at Raja Musa Forest Reserve (RMFR), in line with the global theme Wetlands & Tourism. This will be a state-level celebration for Selangor, with Selangor State Exco for Environment, Consumer Affairs and Tourism, YB Tuan Lee Kim Sin at hand to launch the event. The celebration will seek to promote potential tourism in and around Raja Musa Forest Reserve where eco-tourism is steadily growing. RMFR offers homestay programmes where visits to the padi fields and farms are offered, while visitors can opt to also kayak or enjoy a boat ride to savour the scenic beauty of undisturbed peat swamp forests. In conjunction with World Wetlands Day celebration, GEC in partnership with HSBC Bank Malaysia will launch the Friends of the Peatland Forest or Sahabat Hutan Gambut (SHB) project and a school environmental education programme called Forest Ranger which is linked to Raja Musa Forest rehabilitation activity. Both programmes create awareness amongst the local community on rehabilitation for a peatland forest covering approximately seven hectares. Initiated in 2011, the project also aims to enhance the level of environmental awareness, education and conservation of peat swamp forest at Raja Musa Forest Reserve. The peat conservation efforts in this area is also supported by International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Global Environment Fund (GEF) and European Union through related projects. In addition, a special programme has been drawn up for media representatives to view and learn the importance and values of peat swamp forests not just in terms of being an eco-tourism destination but also its role in effective water management, as well as fire and drought prevention, particularly in the case of Raja Musa Forest Reserve. We would like to invite your editorial team and photographer to join us at this launching and day-long event. Kindly confirm your attendance by 15 Feb 2012. Event details as follows:

Date : Time : Venue:

18 Feb 2012 (Saturday) 8.00 am - 6.00 pm Raja Musa Forest Reserve, Bestari Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan

Transport will be provided for media representatives Pick-up and drop-off point: SS2, PJ Police Station. Please meet by 7am.
2 Floor, Wisma Hing, No.78, Jalan SS2/72, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor D.E., MALAYSIA Phone: +60 3 7957 2007 Fax: +60 3 7957 7003 www.gec.org.my, email: outreach@gec.org.my
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TENTATIVE PROGRAMME
8.00 am 8.30 am 9.00 am 9.15 am Arrival of guests and registration at Raja Musa Forest Reserve. Morning refreshments Arrival of VIPs Opening ceremony and launch of SHG & FR programme by Y.B. Tuan Lee Kim Sin, Deputy Chairman for Environment, Consumer Affairs and Tourism Committee, Selangor State EXCO Visit to exhibition booth (on Kuala Selangor Wetlands) & Group Photo Flag off for Tree Planting activity at RMFR (1 ha) Press conference Depart for Sg Sireh Arrive in Sg Sireh Homestay Complex and Luncheon Visit peat area and boat ride to Sg Tengi - to highlight the role of peat swamp forests in flood mitigation and assuring steady supply of clean water - to highlight the importance of water management in peat swamp areas - to highlight fire prevention efforts at peat swamp areas to highlight the unique biodiversity and ecotourism opportunities in peat swamp areas. To highlight the importance of peat areas for food supply and community livelihood. Question & Answer 5.30 pm Depart back to Petaling Jaya

10.00 am

10.30 am 10.45 am 11.45 am 12.30 pm 2.00 pm

Recommended attire: Sports attire (please bring/wear comfortable shoes i.e. sports shoes. Avoid high heels). Wear hat, sunblock, and drink plenty of water.

For media enquiries, please contact: Adelaine Tan

e-mail: adelaine@gec.org.my Mobile : 012-2392983
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or

Azura Ahmad
email : azura@gec.org.my Mobile : 019-2674896

2 Floor, Wisma Hing, No.78, Jalan SS2/72, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor D.E., MALAYSIA Phone: +60 3 7957 2007 Fax: +60 3 7957 7003 www.gec.org.my, email: outreach@gec.org.my