Lim Hin Fui, Norshakila Yusof, Intan Nurulhani Baharuddin
Forest Research Institute of Malaysia

The ability of the indigenous people to manage a specific forest area often raises doubts and questions. Could the traditional knowledge of indigenous Orang Asli community (totaled about 178,197 in 2010 or less than 1% of the total 28 million Malaysian population) be applied in managing a special genetic resource area for eco-tourism development? The answer is affirmative as shown in the managing of the 136-ha of Bukit Kinta Forest Reserve (Perak) which is rich in Rafflesia cantleyi. With the assistance of Malaysian Nature Society (MNS, an NGO) and Perak State Forestry Department, the Orang Asli Semai youth in Kampong Ulu Geroh were trained to manage the area rich in Rafflesia cantleyi. A total of 20 Orang Asli formed an NGO known as Sahabat Eko-Pelancongan dan Memulihara Alam Indah (SEMAI) or Friends of Eco-tourism and Nature Conservation under MNS’s Rafflesia Conservation project. Two indigenous youths were trained to become nature guides in a course conducted by Malaysian government, Danish International Development Agency (Danida) and Wetlands International. The end result is the application of traditional knowledge in modern forest resource management. The effort in local capacity building by government agencies, national NGO and international NGOs resulted in local communities playing a key role in conserving the world renown flower of  Rafflesia cantleyi and butterfly species (Raja Brooke Birdwing) in the area. Visitors are guided by villagers to see the flowering of Rafflesia cantleyi, Raja Brooke Birdwing and waterfall from time to time. This provides an additional source of income to the local communities. In the meantime, plant and animal species in the managed areas are also protected and conserved as villagers reduced their dependence on non-timber produce harvesting in the area. By 2012, there are 18 Orang Asli guides (11 females and 7 males) in Kampong Ulu Geroh and each earns average monthly cash income of about RM100-150 (US$33-50). More importantly, these Orang Asli youths are now better planners and more confident when interacting with outsiders.