Engaging local communities in sustainable development and conservation in Sarawak

Abdul Gani Mohamad, . and Sapuan Ahmad, . and Cluny Wilhelmina, . and Zarina Shebli, . and Chai P. K., . (2015) Engaging local communities in sustainable development and conservation in Sarawak. [Proceedings Paper]

Sarawak has a large land area of 12.4 million ha and a small population of 2.6 million people. Some 50 of the people are rural-based and live in remote and sparsely scattered longhouses and villages. Owing to the very rugged and difficult interior terrain and lack of road infrastructure bringing development to these people is extremely challenging for the government. Many communities live just outside of the 48 Totally Protected Areas TPAs comprising national parks wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves. They have little say in the TPAs management because protection and conservation are mainly the responsibility of the government. Resource protection is becoming increasingly challenging due to growing development pressure and competition among different stakeholders. TPAs are especially vulnerable due to their rich and exploitable resources. Local communities can play an effective complementary role in conservation management and sustainable development if they are given the opportunity to do so as evidenced under the ITTO-funded projects in Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary and Pulong Tau National Park. Allowing a share of the resources in the TPAs to be developed sustainably participants have been able to generate steady additional cash income and become less dependent on the forest. They are also able to better appreciate the benefits of living in an unpolluted and resource-rich environment. Community service initiative aims to narrow the gap between the government and people through effective communication and collaboration in implementing community-based projects for mutual benefits.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/docs/frc/Other.Conf...

Abstract

Sarawak has a large land area of 12.4 million ha and a small population of 2.6 million people. Some 50 of the people are rural-based and live in remote and sparsely scattered longhouses and villages. Owing to the very rugged and difficult interior terrain and lack of road infrastructure bringing development to these people is extremely challenging for the government. Many communities live just outside of the 48 Totally Protected Areas TPAs comprising national parks wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves. They have little say in the TPAs management because protection and conservation are mainly the responsibility of the government. Resource protection is becoming increasingly challenging due to growing development pressure and competition among different stakeholders. TPAs are especially vulnerable due to their rich and exploitable resources. Local communities can play an effective complementary role in conservation management and sustainable development if they are given the opportunity to do so as evidenced under the ITTO-funded projects in Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary and Pulong Tau National Park. Allowing a share of the resources in the TPAs to be developed sustainably participants have been able to generate steady additional cash income and become less dependent on the forest. They are also able to better appreciate the benefits of living in an unpolluted and resource-rich environment. Community service initiative aims to narrow the gap between the government and people through effective communication and collaboration in implementing community-based projects for mutual benefits.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
AGROVOC Term:	Protected forests
AGROVOC Term:	Nature reserves
AGROVOC Term:	Natural resource management
AGROVOC Term:	Community involvement
AGROVOC Term:	Local communities
AGROVOC Term:	Nature conservation
AGROVOC Term:	Resource conservation
AGROVOC Term:	Sustainable development
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:16
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/13747

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