Traditional Natural Resource Stewardship in Malaysia’s Rapidly Changing Landscape

Abstract

Malaysia is exceptionally rich in natural resources, especially in its forests. The indigenous peoples, known as Orang Asli, live in the forests and depend on their natural resources. One such group is the Temiar living in the forest on the Titiwangsa range. They view forest as Tuhad, the creator. They have accumulated indigenous knowledge on preserving the forest over centuries. Some of this knowledge is encapsulated in their calendar, known as Tahud. They observe rules on the timing of cultivation, on the hunting of animals, and on the extraction of resources. These rules ensure the survival of the forest for the future. As Malaysia has embraced development, many projects threaten the forests, especially the clear-cutting by logging companies. Deforestation affects other aspects of the ecosystem such as water supply, biodiversity, and the climate. For the indigenous peoples, forest is life so the loss of forest is like the loss of life. Some have been forced to migrate to the cities to work, and there they lose their indigenous knowledge. Some communities have defended their traditional lands by blockading the loggers, and getting help from lawyers and NGOs. It is vital to preserve, document, and mainstream this indigenous knowledge for the benefit of the indigenous communities, the nation, and the planet.