(MY) ecotourism

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Cross Country: Orang Asli cash in on ecotourism - New Straits Times*11 Aug

2006*

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*GOPENG: Ecotourism has a new meaning for the Orang Asli of Kampung Ulu

Geroh here — it is no longer about collecting and selling butterflies for 10

sen each.

*

 

Years ago, villagers of Semai ethnicity used to sell butterflies to

middlemen who framed the specimens to sell them at prices ranging from RM30

to as much as RM500 each.

 

Now, the villagers are more aware of the treasure they have in their midst.

 

Kampung Ulu Geroh has been the site of the Malaysian Nature Society's

Rafflesia Conservation and Ecotourism project since the year 2000.

 

The village is also a haven for the beautiful and rare Rajah Brooke's

birdwing butterfly, a protected species in its forest habitat.

 

The villagers understand the need for development and only hope that the

forest where the Rafflesia bloom will be fully protected.

 

Not only will this bring more ecology-conscious tourists but the hills in

the area have been providing clean water for the village.

 

" It has never been polluted. That means there is no logging and we want it

to be like this forever, " said village head Tok Batin Ngah Sidin Hamzah.

 

Besides ecotourism, the MNS project is also educational for the villagers

who begin to gain a knowledge of their own environment. It also helps them

polish their social skills with local and foreign tourists.

 

Ecotourism usually includes homestay package, but Ngah Sidin is a bit

worried about visitors who may not wish to adapt to the communal living of

the villagers, usually family members of different religious persuasions

staying together.

 

However, he is happy with the prospect of tourism as more tourists are

visiting the village.

 

Sixty-five-year-old Ngah Sidin hopes the Government will build a proper road

and help them get land ownership.

 

Yesterday, State Agriculture, Agro-based industries and Tourism Committee

chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan opened a visitors information centre in the

village.

 

Radzi said he would propose that the 200ha area of Rafflesia flowers be

protected from any development or logging activities.

 

He said allocations had been made to train tour guides.

 

The village has 30 trained guides and received about 500 visitors during the

first half of this year.