Penjaga Gunung Project
Penjaga Gunung Project is an ongoing community-led conservation and education initiative focused on protecting and restoring Malaysia’s highland forests, with a special emphasis on areas near indigenous villages and key water catchment zones. The project’s name — which means Guardians of the Mountain — reflects its core mission: to empower local communities, especially youth, to become stewards of their natural heritage.
The project is structured around four focus areas:
Environmental Education & Youth Empowerment – Through workshops, forest camps, and hands-on learning, we are building a new generation of mountain guardians who understand ecology and climate challenges.
Forest Restoration & Tree Planting – Active reforestation is ongoing near Hutan Simpan Kampung Pertak and Kampung Ulu Batu, with the help of volunteers and local residents.
Orang Asli Engagement – Collaborating with indigenous communities to preserve traditional ecological knowledge and co-develop sustainable forest activities.
Public Awareness & Creative Advocacy – Using storytelling, visual arts, and media campaigns to highlight the importance of highland forests and water sources.
Over the past months, the project has mobilized local youth, partnered with schools, and initiated the planting of hundreds of native trees. We’ve seen early signs of success — from strengthened community pride to improved understanding of the link between forest health and water security.
Though still in progress, Penjaga Gunung is already fostering a sense of collective responsibility and action. It is more than just a conservation effort; it is a movement that blends environmental science, culture, and creativity to build a more sustainable and inclusive future.
As the project continues, we aim to scale our programs to more forest areas, deepen partnerships with indigenous groups, and explore long-term policy and impact pathways that ensure our mountains — and the people who protect them — can thrive for generations to come.
