Resilience in a community the story of Orang Asli of Royal - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Resilience in a community the story of Orang Asli of Royal Belum-Temengor Forest Complex, Perak Rural Research & Planning Group (RRPG) 5 th International Conference and Field Study in Malaysia 2014, 26-28 August, INFRA Bangi, Malaysia Khairul
the story of Orang Asli of Royal Belum-Temengor Forest Complex, Perak
Rural Research & Planning Group (RRPG) 5th International Conference and Field Study in Malaysia 2014, 26-28 August, INFRA Bangi, Malaysia
Khairul Hisyam Kamarudin. Ibrahim Ngah. KhamarrulAzahari Razak. Mohd Safuan Ibrahim . Anwar Harun
Some thoughts on ‘resilience community’ Orang Asli of Royal Belum-Temengor Stories of two communities Conclusion
Royal Belum State Park and Temengor Forest Complex (RBTFC) associated with the conservation
Malaysia. Recently, RBTFC came into the limelight UNESCO world heritage site.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/05/10/Dream-of-Unesco-listing-for-Belum-forest- Najib-calls-for-study-of-forests-heritage-and-economic-val/
“Indigenous people and their communities and other local communities, have a vital role in environmental management and development because of their knowledge and traditional practices. States should recognize and duly support their identity, culture and interest and enable their effective participation in the achievement
(Earth Summit, 1992: 13)
Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) – recognition from Earth Summit (1992) Adherent to sustainable development principles Modernization/ Development
Disappearance of traditional values and practices Threaten the local biodiversity and resources Create further new problems Abandonment of traditional practices and knowledge on resource management Infrastructure development and support services Housing quality, job opportunities, income
Conservation / carrying capacity / limit to growth?
Training, human capital development
Where to go from here?
Orang Asli (Orang Asal) the oldest community ever known to inhabit the peninsular land, (historical record dated back to 25,000 years ago), live in interior rural area with an intimate contact to nature. RBTFC context associated with high levels of poverty and low levels of development. Community’s ability to survive resiliently in today’s socio-economic environment jeopardized in a long term? if they failed to solve the current internal and/or external socio-economic weaknesses bring in the interest for study (on resilient community).
Some thoughts on resilience community
Arise from the need to develop understanding
external disturbances, either caused by natural
Rural communities facing complex socio- political and economic disturbances drastic drop of rubber price affected the farmers, small holders, and workers caused farmers to abandon their rubber plantations forcing them to migrate to search for alternative means of living.
Community resilience and vulnerability measure using economic, social and environmental capitals. Source: (an adaptation from Wilson, 2010)
(Kamarudin et al., 2014: 170)
Orang Asli of Royal Belum-Temengor
Area Name of Kampung Population Area Name of Kampung Population RPS Banun Sungai Banun 122 RPS Kemar Penderas 120 Kabel 51 Banun 99 Sungai Raba 143 Bal 693 Desa Permai 24 Chuwau 178 Pengkalan Permai 68 Akei 188 Desa Damai 113 Katong 351 Cadak 20 Lediau 159 Desa Ria 87 Senangit 225 Semelor* 159 Lerlar 235 Sungai Tekam 83 Badak 185 Pulau Tujuh 87 Shah 255 Sungai Chuweh 97 Ralak 294 Sungai Tebang 131 Rantau 522 Selaor 113 Jarau Lama 299 Sungai Kelab 75 Jarau Baru 117 Sungai Tiang* 409 Desa Pelancongan 143 Sungai Chiong 234 Charok Bus 100 Sungai Kejar 397 Total 2656 Total 3920
Source: JAKOA Gerik, Perak (2014)
Stories of two communities
Village (or Kampung) Population Number
families Male Female Total Semelor 85 74 159 30 Sungai Tiang 191 218 409 83 Village (or Kampung) Sub Ethnic Religion TOTAL Jahai Temiar Islam Christian Bahai Animism e Semelor
80
159 Sungai Tiang 409
47 43
Observation of Community’s Resilient Issues Proposed Specific Indicators at Community Level
Economic Capital (12)
c. Has there been a need for the household to develop multiple sources of income?
f. What are the prospects for ongoing/future economic development and employment sectors?
community?
important are they to the community? i. Are there opportunities for new businesses to be developed? Is there any prospect for tourism-related activities? j. What are the potentials tourism development might offer to the community?
l. Are locally produced goods only sold locally?
Observation of Community’s Resilient Issues Proposed Specific Indicators at Community Level
Social Capital (10)
c. Is there any knowledge or skills passed on from the younger to the older generation?
yes, how is his/her knowledge useful in addressing local problems?
f. Do those who can participate actually participate in decision-making?
i. Do young people think differently/have different ideas as compared to older people? j. Do young people get involved in developing new opportunities/projects in the community?
Observation of Community’s Resilient Issues Proposed Specific Indicators at Community Level
Environmental Capital (10)
c. Are water resources of good quality?
f. Are soils of good quality?
i. How does the community react/respond to these issues/problems? j. Are there important traditions/taboos which would influence the management of community resources?
Proposed Specific Indicators Findings/Results Remarks/Comments
income 100% live in poverty (<RM600) WEAK: High incidence of poverty.
more than one source of income? 15% have more than one source of income 85% have only one source of income WEAK: High level of dependence
for households to develop multiple sources
100% agreed that they need to develop multiple sources
STRONG: High level of perception
sources of income.
significant change in the main employment sector in the last 20 years? 63% maintain doing the same jobs for the last 20 years 37% change jobs WEAK: Most respondents remain in traditional/forest-related jobs (which offered a low, short term, and unstable income).
existing employment sectors? 54% said that they are unstable 37% said that they are stable 9% were not sure WEAK: Most respondents believe that their existing employment sectors could not offer stable employment
for ongoing/future economic development and employment sectors? 69% mentioned about the lack of prospects 23% were still confident 8% were not sure WEAK: High level of dissatisfaction among respondents regarding the prospects of the employment sectors
living and working
community? 23% said yes 77% are not receiving money from relatives
WEAK: Low number of family members living and working
Proposed Specific Indicators Findings/Results Remarks/Comments
receiving government welfare support/funds/subsidies? If yes, how important are they to the community? 100% said yes (i.e. welfare payment for low household income) WEAK: High level of dependence on government welfare support (mostly financial). *NGOs are also directly involved in supporting these communities.
for new businesses to be developed? Is there any prospect for tourism- related activities? 85% were optimistic with development of new businesses 92% were positive about the future prospects of tourism STRONG: High level of optimism towards planning and developing new form of businesses, in particular tourism-related activities.
tourism development activities might offer to your community? 69% emphasized on job creation and income generation 31% were looking for training and conservation of local resources STRONG: Majority of respondents were aware of economic potentials
within the community on matters of economic activities? 85% said it was made by the village council (JKKK) 15% did not specify any answer STRONG: Strong local leadership and organization in decision- making process.
goods only sold locally? 62% of products are internally/locally consumed 38% are sold to the external market Local produce is still sufficient to cater local market. New opportunity for tourism to be marketed internally and externally.
Findings from the Economic Capital Survey (Both Villages)
A photo of the village houses in Kampung Sungai Tiang; only in deteriorating state and have not experienced significant physical improvement since 10 years ago.
Proposed Specific Indicators Findings/Results Remarks/Comments
and knowledge available to community members? 92% received training 8% did not receive training STRONG: Majority have received/were given training in relevant skills (i.e. bee farming, boat engine maintaining, porter servicing, and sewing). However, there was a lack of follow-up and/or continuous guidance after training.
local knowledge
skills passed on from the
to the younger generation? 100% said yes STRONG: High level of knowledge/skills transfer; mainly for survivability (i.e. knowledge of the forest, use of plants for medication, crafts, traditional songs, and dances).
skills passed on from the younger to the
generation? 92% said yes STRONG: Mainly on the use of technology (i.e. mobile phones and electrical appliances).
local/indigenous knowledge still available in your community? If yes, how is his/her knowledge useful in addressing local problems? 100% said yes STRONG: Authorities in SME (or IKS in Malay) maintain their roles in guiding youths to learn about their environment for economic survival.
are involved in decision- making? 100% said all are involved STRONG: High level of openness and democracy.
Findings from the Social Capital Survey (Both Villages)
Proposed Specific Indicators1 Findings/Results Remarks/Comments
those who can participate actually participate in decision- making? 92% said yes 8% said no STRONG: High level of local stake- holding representatives in decision- making processes.
viewpoints be allowed to participate in decision- making? 52% did not have any problem with that 24% normally would follow the majority 24% were not sure STRONG: High level of tolerance, and also voice of majority play crucial role in dealing with dispute or opposing
young people get involved in decision-making process? 92% said yes 8% were not sure STRONG: High level of youth participation; community welcomes new ideas from young people, shared their views and to strengthen community togetherness.
young people think differently/have different ideas as compared to older people? 77% agreed that young people have different way of thinking 23% disagreed Younger generations were exposed to basic education and the outside world. For others, it is more convenient to just follow decisions made by the elders.
involved in developing new
community? 100% said yes, in relations to trainings STRONG: High level of involvement in local economic projects, such as bee farming, rubber tapping, and porter services.
Training - Kelulut beehives in Kampung Semelor Free time activities in Sungai Tiang
Findings from the Environmental Capital Survey (Both Villages)
Proposed Specific Indicators Findings/Results Remarks/Comments
in planning the use of natural resources in the community? 85% said yes 15% were not sure STRONG: High level of involvement in planning the use
the environment pose limitations
the community? 100% agreed with issues of environmental limitations. WEAK: There were complains about smugglers/trespassers from Thailand coming and stealing gaharu, and killing wildlife.
92% said no 8% said yes WEAK: Low water quality; water level is low during dry seasons and water is murky during raining seasons.
sufficient for local needs? 92% mentioned about insufficient supply of clean water 8% were not sure WEAK: Low water capacity to cater the local needs.
distributed fairly? 85% disagreed 15% mentioned only a small portion of the community received water through the pipelines WEAK: Poor level of water distribution for each village. Most water distribution systems were built on individual initiatives/funding. Proposed Specific Indicators Findings/Results Remarks/Comments
soils
good quality? 100% agreed STRONG: High level of soil fertility.
soil resources managed sustainably? 38% manage their land properly 62% do not WEAK: Poor management of soil resources; this is mainly due to constant threats from animals (i.e. elephants destroying their farms).
are the main environmental issues/problems
40% mentioned about illegal poachers stealing gaharu 40% mentioned about threats from wild elephants 20% mentioned about excessive logging and illegal fishing Majority agreed with the issues of illegal poachers/trespassers and threats from wild elephants.
does the community react/respond to these issues/problems? Building electric fences Reporting to Park Rangers. Building electric fences surrounding their farms. Reporting to Park Rangers if they spotted trespassers or poachers. Current measures were found to be ineffective to tackle the problems.
traditions/taboos which would influence the management of community resources? The importance of gotong- royong, sewang, forest resources harvesting, and shifting farming – 23% respectively 8% did not specify any STRONG: Strong sense of belonging and togetherness in protecting the local environment.
Supply of water is shared among a few houses in Kampung Sungai Tiang
Weak Economic Capital Weak Environmental Capital Strong Social Capital
Community resilience/vulnerability represented by economic, social, and environmental capitals of the two villages. Source: (Research Fieldwork, 2014)
Main Sponsor Co-Sponsor
Rural Research & Planning Group (RRPG) 5th International Conference and Field Study in Malaysia 2014, 26-28 August, INFRA Bangi, Malaysia
National Conference on Royal Belum 2014 02-03 December 2014, Belum Rainforest Resort, Gerik (www.utm.my/royalbelum/)