Penyertaan orang Asli dalam aktiviti eko-pelancongan di Tasik Chini, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract

The global and local economic transformation leading to the industrial and technological sectors for economic development have resulted in the minority community such as the indigenous people cannot only rely with forest products for their sources of income. This situation has led the Orang Asli of Jakun community in Tasik Chini to actively involved in tourism industry with the establishment of Kijang Mas Gumum Chalet, Rajan Jones Guest House and Wira Gumum Resorts, operated under personal funding and government assistance. In-depth interview was conducted with former and recent chalet operators, and local leaders in order to understand the tourism struggles in Tasik Chini. Data collected from the head households or their representatives from five villages in 2017 were compared with 2010's Tasik Chini Strategik Implementation Plan in order to see the the community's dependency on the natural resources surrounding Tasik Chini. The findings showed a positive engagement of Jakun community towards eco-tourism programs including the protection and conservation of the natural environment. However, Tasik Chini readiness as an attractive tourist destination viewed by both locals and foreign visitors is increasingly hampered by the existing environmental degradation. Likewise, community preparedness in terms of conducting their eco-tourism activities, and issues related to land ownership within the touristic sites have become the major challenges to the competitiveness of the eco-tourism in this area. For that reason, collaboration between all stakeholders such as the local community and other agencies is essential in order to tackle the environmental issues enveloping Tasik Chini. Initiating eco-tourism activities inspired by Orang Asli culture and focusing on homestay and kampungstay concepts is necessary, in order to restore the tourist's attraction within this area.