An endless quest for answers
DR Gan Joo-Ee, senior lecturer at Monash University Malaysia’s School of Business, takes us deep into a forest reserve in Perak, where she is currently conducting research on governance and conservation.
“My research takes me to the BelumTemenggor forest reserve. The location is not easily accessible – a five-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur to Grik, the nearest town. To enter the forest reserve, you’ll need a boat. And if the Royal Belum State Park is your destination, prior arrangements should be made with a forest guide to obtain a permit that gets you past two checkpoints – that of the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Perak State Parks Corporation (PSPC), respectively.
“From frequent trips, I could identify the main islands in Lake Temenggor that were once mountain peaks before the area was flooded for the construction of hydroelectric dams. The boat driver, the same guide I engaged since my first trip to BelumTemenggor in 2015, slowed down so I could take a better look at this 130-million-year-old rainforest ecosystem.
“I asked myself ‘Can all of these last?’ as we passed a houseboat with 20 or more tourists on board. Conservation is strong in Royal Belum. The PSPC takes its role as custodian of the state park seriously. But what about Temenggor, where logging and fish farming are permissible? The waterline of Temenggor is punctuated by timber barges and a collection depot for fish farm operators. The visual impact is somewhat at odds with Temenggor’s reputation as an ecotourism destination. Tourist entry is unrestricted, since there are no agencies designated for its environmental protection.
“The root cause of the problem: the distinct institutional arrangements for Royal Belum and Temenggor, despite the fact that the two localities are proximate with nearly identical characteristics. This dual governance structure resulted when onethird of the forest reserve was declared the Royal Belum and accorded additional protection. Temenggor, however, remains vulnerable to economic exploitation.
“In an ecotourism context, my study on Belum-Temenggor shows that the status of forest land, prioritisation of conservation and presence of a lead institution can significantly affect sustainability. Changes in the governance structure are necessary to overcome the problem, but institutional changes take time.
“Governance ethos need changing, too. There should be increased stakeholder engagement, greater transparency and accountability, and better communication. There is also the issue of the orang asli, who have become trespassers when their ancestral lands became protected areas.
“Environmental degradation from logging activities damaged their traditional livelihood, while tourism has put a strain on their cultural identity. What kind of institutional reforms are necessary to equip the orang asli to be stewards of their own environment? What about empowerment; the capacity-building vital to prepare them for the modern economy? Do they necessarily want to participate in the modern economy? How far should BelumTemenggor be developed? Is growth attainable without sacrificing the environment? According to the concept of ecological modernisation, the answer is ‘yes’. If so, what constitutes the limit of acceptable change, and how should this limit be monitored?
“In search of these answers, I find myself returning to Belum-Temenggor again and again. The long drive to Grik allows plenty of time for introspection. What purpose does my research really serve? How do I benefit the orang asli, apart from the provisions that I bring them when I visit? I suspect I don’t have answers to these questions, either. But I am searching, and, true to the university’s motto, ancora imparo, I am still learning.”
Gan Joo-Ee is a member of the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy, a network of volunteers who contribute to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s mission of conservation and development.