Prepared by SERI
27 Disember 2023
Introduction
Malaysia is a country blessed with an abundance of natural wealth of tropical forests, lush landscapes and biodiversity. Nestled in the country are some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests, crucial to mitigate climate change and to protect diverse ecosystems.
Data from Global Forest Watch recorded that Malaysia boasted 20.3 million hectares of natural forest in 2010, encompassing 87% of its total land area. However, a disconcerting trend emerges when examining the figures for 2022, whereby the country experienced a loss of 118 thousand hectares of natural forest—an alarming equivalent to 83.9 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions(1). Indeed, one of the main causes of deforestation is illegal logging. In 2013, Malaysia’s total forest production loss from illegal logging was 35% which is concerning given the critical role of forests(2).
In addition to illegal logging, wildlife in Malaysian forests faces the imminent threats of poaching and wildlife trafficking. As a matter of fact, Malaysia serves as both a source and transit nation for globally trafficked wildlife commodities, encompassing items such as ivory, rhino horn, pangolin, tigers and tiger parts, birds, reptiles, and testudines(3). Malaysian local wildlife are also being traded domestically and internationally such as the Malayan tiger, clouded leopard, Sunda pangolin, and sun bear(4).
The stark numbers underscore the urgent need for new cutting-edge technology and sustainable conservation measures in the face of this threat.
Addressing the Challenges in Forest Enforcement
Addressing the challenges in forest enforcement in Malaysia is crucial for the sustainable management of the country's rich biodiversity. A study conducted by Muhammad et al(5). shed light on the issues plaguing enforcement agencies, particularly regarding enforcement capacity. The findings underscored several key challenges, including inadequate manpower, financial constraints hindering law enforcement activities, and a lack of facilities and equipment. The insufficient manpower not only strains existing staff but also compromises monitoring and surveillance efforts. Chronic understaffing in these critical areas exacerbates the challenges faced by enforcement agencies. Insufficient funding and limited equipment allocation further impede the mobility of enforcement teams, thus, hindering their ability to effectively combat illegal activities.
In addition, another enforcement challenge regularly encountered by forest rangers is the inaccessibility of certain areas, particularly those situated far from the park's headquarters. A study by Frontiers in Conservation Science on tiger poaching in Southeast Asia revealed that the issue with combating wildlife crime is the lack of real-time and evidence-based data to help enforcement agencies deploy rangers strategically(6). With nearly one million hectares of forest designated as protected areas in Malaysia, the need for advanced technology becomes imperative to enhance operational efficiency(7).
Utilizing IoT and Big Data in Forest Enforcement
However, conventional forest monitoring approaches, including patrols and satellite imagery, face limitations in terms of coverage area, real-time data collection, and the early detection of threats(8). Moreover, the vast expanse of these protected zones, coupled with the geographical remoteness, and the lack of manpower poses a significant obstacle to effective monitoring and enforcement efforts. Therefore, implementing the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data would allow enforcement agencies to remotely monitor and gather data from these inaccessible regions.
The integration of IoT into forest enforcement enables the real-time monitoring and identification of forest fires, illegal logging, and the movements of poachers(9). For example, IoT-based wildfire detection systems utilize strategically placed interconnected sensors in forested areas, constantly monitoring environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, wind speed, and air quality. The real-time data collected is transmitted to a central monitoring system, where advanced algorithms analyze it for anomalies or patterns indicative of a wildfire. This early detection facilitates rapid response thereby enhancing the likelihood of successful containment.
Other than that, big data generated from forest enforcement technologies can be stored and visualized through AI and cloud computing, allowing for cost-effective and intelligent data analysis(10). Accordingly, advanced analytics technology would be able to interpret extensive data sets, rendering it valuable for informed decision-making in forestry.
Bioacoustics AI in Forest Enforcement
A local example of employing IoT and big data analytics for forest enforcement is the Rainforest Guardian Research Project, a collaborative initiative involving the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Forest Department Sarawak, Sarawak Forestry Corporation, the NGO Rainforest Connection (RFCx), and Huawei Malaysia under its TECH4ALL initiative.
RFCx, initiated by Topher White during his work in Indonesia, was founded upon the observation that local rangers dedicated more time to combating illegal logging than to nurturing wildlife(11). Nevertheless, the density of tropical forests posed a challenge for enforcement agencies in detecting illicit activities and accessing remote areas. It was during this realization that they acknowledged the use of sounds to understand the forest.
RFCx's bioacoustic technology revolutionizes forest monitoring by utilizing a combination of innovative hardware and artificial intelligence. Initially, the organization repurposed mobile phones to transmit forest sounds, analyzing them for signs of illegal logging. The evolution of this technology led to the creation of custom-designed 'guardians' equipped with logic boards, solar panels, directional antennas, and microphones. Positioned at the top of the rainforest canopy, these guardians record the entire acoustic landscape and then streaming the data to the cloud.
RFCx's AI models then analyze the soundscape, detecting potential threats such as chainsaws, vehicles, human voices, or gunshots. Automatic alerts generated by the system are transmitted to individuals on the ground who can review and respond to the alerts through their mobile phones. This technology not only facilitates more efficient monitoring of vast rainforest areas but also enhances the safety of those on the ground by providing early warnings and preventing accidental encounters with illegal activities. Additionally, the bioacoustic data has broader applications, such as mapping biodiversity shifts due to climate change and encroachment.
In Sarawak, the collaboration between RFCx's solar-powered technology and Huawei's cloud and AI advancements has yielded impressive results. Across five sites in Similajau National Park and Similajau Forest Reserve, a total of 874,256 recordings were obtained using RFCx's system(12). The implementation of 'Guardians,' in 2021 remotely guided by RFCx's team during the pandemic, showcased the adaptability of this technology in overcoming challenges.
Conclusion
The challenges faced by Malaysian forests, including illegal logging and wildlife trafficking, demand innovative solutions for effective conservation. Embracing smart forestry is the key to overcoming the multifaceted challenges of forest conservation in Malaysia. The use of bioacoustic technology, advanced analytics, and real-time alerts empowers enforcement agencies, rangers, and local communities to make informed decisions and respond effectively to illegal activities. The success of the Rainforest Guardian Research Project in Similajau National Park underscores the urgency and potential for widespread implementation of similar AI solutions in other Malaysian forests.
References
1. Global Forest Watch, “Malaysia Deforestation Rates & Statistics | GFW,” Globalforestwatch.org, 2022, .
2. Muhammad Nur Haniff Mohd Noor, Rokiah Kadir, and Suriyani Muhamad, “Issues of Forest Enforcement against Illegal Logging and Forest Offences in Peninsular Malaysia,” Journal of Sustainability Science and Management 16, no. 7 (December 25, 2020), https://doi.org/10.46754/jssm.2021.10.019.
3. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “Criminal Justice Response to Wildlife Crime in Malaysia: A Rapid Assessment,” 2017, https://www.unodc.org/res/wildlife-and-forest-crime/new/global-programme/asia_html/Malaysia_Assessment.pdf.
4. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “Criminal Justice Response to Wildlife Crime in Malaysia: A Rapid Assessment,” 2017
5. Muhammad Nur Haniff Mohd Noor, Rokiah Kadir, and Suriyani Muhamad, “Issues of Forest Enforcement against Illegal Logging and Forest Offences in Peninsular Malaysia,” Journal of Sustainability Science and Management 16, no. 7 (December 25, 2020), https://doi.org/10.46754/jssm.2021.10.019.
6.Wai Yee Lam et al., “Using a Crime Prevention Framework to Evaluate Tiger Counter-Poaching in a Southeast Asian Rainforest,” Frontiers in Conservation Science 4 (August 23, 2023), .
7. TECH4ALL, “The Nature Guardians That Never Stop Listening,” huawei, 2023, https://www.huawei.com/en/tech4all/stories/nature-guardian-malaysia.
8. Ben Jones, “How IoT Can Revolutionise Forest Monitoring and Wildfire Detection,” IOT Insider, July 14, 2023, .
9. Rajesh Singh et al., “Forest 4.0: Digitalization of Forest Using the Internet of Things (IoT),” Journal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences, February 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksuci.2021.02.009.
10. Rajesh Singh et al., “Forest 4.0: Digitalization of Forest Using the Internet of Things (IoT),”. 2021.
11.Cristina Lago, “Sounds of the Forest: How ‘Bioacoustic’ Analysis Is Helping to Fight Illegal Logging,” Tech Monitor (Tech Monitor, February 8, 2021), .
12. Huawei, “Protecting Malaysia’s Sarawak Rainforest with Technology,” Huawei BLOG, January 6, 2023, .