Nurul Shakila binti Mohamad Zain

Focuses on: Agriculture, Disaster risks / urban resilience, Forest conservation / biodiversity, Water

From the stories of fellow grassroots members, particularly among the Orang Asli (indigeneous people), local farmers and fishermen, Nurul Shakila was inspired to participate in numerous projects and organizations, most notably the #hutanpergimana campaign that sought to pressure the local authorities against degazetting the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve. The experience, Shakila said, opened her eyes to the power people have when they come together for a common cause. Yet it was not all beds of roses for her. She has received numerous threats in her effort to protect nature. The problem, Shakila says, is that people misunderstand their intentions. People tend to believe that because one is passionate about saving trees, they are against development, yet this is untrue. “We are pro-sustainable development, not anti-development,” she said.

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