The proposed project contributes to a holistic, five year programme being implemented by Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) to build resilience of the local community on Tioman, which started in early 2014.

1.1.1 Tioman Resilience Programme

Coral reefs are an important ecological and economic ecosystem in Malaysia and an important element of the country?s biodiversity. Reef-associated communities, such as those on the islands off the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Perhentian, Redang and Tioman) rely on coral reefs for their livelihoods. However, numerous impacts are contributing to their decline, reducing biodiversity and resilience, with knock-on effects on the associated communities. Despite efforts to address these problems, progress on conserving reef biodiversity and protecting the economies of the communities has been slow.

In March 2014, Reef Check Malaysia, working with several funders and implementing partners, launched a long term programme that aims to build the resilience of the coral reefs and local communities of one island, Tioman. The objectives are to conserve biodiversity by reducing local impacts to the reefs, building the capacity of the local community, and empowering them to take a greater role in coral reef conservation and management.

These objectives will be achieved through:

? Actions to reduce local impacts such as solid waste and sewage pollution
? The implementation of responsible tourism programmes with local tourism operators
? Awareness and education programmes for local communities and tourists
? Building capacity of local communities through education and skills training, thus directly involving them with managing the island?s reefs.

The projected outcomes include:

? Measurable improvement in water quality
? Reduced waste sent to the incinerator on the island
? Measurable improvement in selected reef health indicators
? Adoption of a sustainable tourism development master plan.

1.1.2 Proposed Project

The proposed project will contribute to the Tioman Resilience Programme described above by supporting activities to build ecological resilience of the islands? coral reefs, and increase the social resilience of the local community. It will be implemented over two years and the objectives are to:

? Contribute to reducing solid waste generation on the island
? Reduce impacts from tourism through responsible tourism initiatives
? Raise awareness among the community of the importance of the Tioman MPA and how it protects biodiversity and livelihoods
? Build capacity among the local community to enable them to contribute to managing the Tioman Marine Park
? Provide skills training to enable members of the local community to establish supplementary livelihoods not related to coral reefs, thereby building resilience of the community.

EcoKnights will work closely with Reef Check Malaysia to implement the project alongside other on-going activities that are part of the broader programme.