Peat swamps in Malaysia are actually lush forests rich with fish, prawns and trees. When they are drained and dried, the thick peat catches fire and produces haze. Photos: GEC
More than 60 local community members around the Klang Valley, particularly anglers and villagers, showed up at a fishing contest at Tanjung Karang, Selangor recently to demonstrate how important peat swamps are.
These swamps are one of the most unique ecosystems in the tropics. They are made from huge amounts of plant materials (which have not decomposed) to form layers of peat. The waters of a peat swamp are like a very strong, dark tea. The dark brown colourations of the waters come from organic acids or tannins from the peat. That’s why they are called “blackwater rivers”.
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