BELAIT – The Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) officially launched ‘Badas Tree Planting Project Phase 2’, in collaboration with Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP) and the Brunei Forestry Department.
This latest initiative marks the continuation of the ‘Badas Tree Planting Project’, a long-running science-based reforestation effort focused on degraded areas along Jalan Badas, located within the Badas peat swamp forest. The Badas peat swamp forest is Brunei Darussalam’s largest peat dome and one of Southeast Asia’s most ecologically significant ecosystems. The ‘Badas Tree Planting Project Phase 2’ will contribute directly to Brunei Darussalam’s National Climate Change Policy Strategy 2 and UBD’s ‘Rooting for the Future’ initiative in conjunction with the university’s 40th anniversary celebrations. The ‘Badas Tree Planting Project Phase’ 2 is fully supported by BSP as part of its Social Investment initiatives.
The ‘Badas Tree Planting Phase 2’ was launched by Suriani Garip, Communications and External Affairs Manager of BSP, on 30th September 2025 at Jalan Badas. In her welcoming remarks, Associate Professor Dr Rahayu Sukmaria Sukri, as project lead for IBER’s ‘Badas Tree Planting Project’, highlighted that the project commenced in 2021 as a citizen science research project and has resulted in the planting of 334 saplings of Rubroshorea albida, a native peat swamp tree species that is endemic to Borneo and of high conservation value to peat swamp forests.
The launch saw the participation of 50 volunteers from UBD, BSP and the Forestry Department, who worked with the IBER research team to plant 200 Dryobalanops rappa saplings across dedicated degraded sites in the Badas peat swamp forest. Locally known as Kapur, this native tree species is listed as endangered in the IUCN Red List and can only be found in Borneo. IBER’s reforestation research in Brunei’s peat swamps have shown encouraging results for Kapur saplings with high survival rates over long-term periods, underscoring its potential for successful long-term peat swamp forest restoration.
Beyond the initial tree planting, the ‘Badas Tree Planting Project Phase 2’ will be open to the involvement of volunteers from schools and higher education institutions, stakeholders and the general public to assist the research team in monitoring growth and survival of the planted saplings. Project volunteers will gain first-hand experience in biodiversity conservation, sustainability research and climate action. Through the project, IBER aims to advance research on tropical peatland rehabilitation and climate change mitigation in Brunei Darussalam and to provide practical solutions and scientific data to inform national reforestation strategies.
The ‘Badas Tree Planting Project’ demonstrates how science-driven restoration, combined with active community participation and stakeholder collaborations, can drive Brunei Darussalam’s efforts to safeguard its unique biodiversity and ecosystems. For updates and information about volunteer opportunities and future events, follow the IBER Forest Ecology Group on Instagram at @peatswamp.iber and @ubd.iber.kbfsc.