RATIONALISING THE ROLE OF ORANG ASLI IN COMANAGEMENT OF THE ROYAL BELUM STATE PARK, MALAYSIA

Abstract

This paper reports on the possibility for collaborative management of the Royal Belum State Park between the Perak State Park Corporation and the indigenous inhabitants. International standards in managing conservation areas recognise a complex web of interests that includes conservation, business, and indigenous rights. In line with this, the Malaysian Biodiversity Policy includes requirements for public participation and the recognition of cultural rights of indigenous communities in protected areas. Intangible values of parks were used to show that conservation efforts and indigenous rights converge and share commonalities in values. This paper argues that inclusion of Orang Asli as co-managers requires genuine partnership founded on consultation as well as recognition of their customary rights and knowledge of the landscape. Extending from these principles, the recommendations include developing infrastructure capacity, creating economic opportunities, addressing human–animal conflict, developing a fair and representational benefit sharing mechanism and allowing traditional use of natural resources which includes integrating traditional knowledge with natural resources management strategies.