Conserve Biodiversity, Save Humanity!ASEAN’s Rich Biodiversity Despite occupying only three percent of the earth’s surface, the ASEAN region hosts 20 percent of all known species that
Trang 2Conserve Biodiversity, Save Humanity!
ASEAN’s Rich Biodiversity
Despite occupying only three percent of the earth’s surface,
the ASEAN region hosts 20 percent of all known species
that live deep in the region’s mountains, jungles, rivers,
lakes and seas The region includes three mega-diverse
states (Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines); several
bio-geographical units (e.g., Malesia, Wallacea, Sundaland,
Indo-Burma and the Central Indo-Pacific); and numerous
centers of concentration of restricted-range bird, plant and
insect species ASEAN has one-third, translating to 284,000
square kilometers, of all coral reefs, which are among the
most diverse in the world Common land and water borders
have allowed the ASEAN states to share many species that
are biologically diverse from the rest of the world All these
make the ASEAN region significant to global diversity.
The Threat
The region’s rich biodiversity is heavily under threat Out of
64,800 known species, two percent or 1,312 are endangered
Seven of the world’s 25 recognized biodiversity hotspots are
in the ASEAN region If the rate of deforestation continues,
the region will lose up to three-fourths of its forests, and up
to 42 percent of its biodiversity by 2100 Eighty percent of
coral reefs are at risk due to destructive fishing practices and
coral bleaching
Forest conversion, forest fires, shifting cultivation, large-scale
mining, wildlife hunting and trading, population growth and
poverty, climate change, and lack of conservation resources
greatly contribute to biodiversity loss Biodiversity loss could
trigger enormous effects on food security, health, shelter,
medicine, and aesthetic and other life-sustaining resources Without a concerted effort to protect and conserve biodiver- sity, the ASEAN region’s 567 million people and the entire human race would be in danger.
ASEAN’s Response:
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
As an intergovernmental regional organization, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) facilitates cooperation and co- ordination among the members states of ASEAN, and with relevant national governments, regional and international organizations, on the conservation and sustainable use of bio- logical diversity guided by fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of such biodiversity in the ASEAN region ACB aims to contribute to the reduction of the current rate of loss of biological diversity by enhancing regional cooperation, capacitating stakeholders, promoting awareness for biodiver- sity conservation, and maintaining the regional biodiversity database To contribute to the achievement of socially respon- sible access, equitable sharing, use and conservation of natural ecosystems and the biodiversity these contain, ACB builds stra- tegic networks and partnerships geared to mobilize resources towards optimally augmenting effective programmes on biodi- versity conservation.
Contact Us
ACB Headquarters
3F ERDB Bldg., Forestry CampusCollege, Laguna 4031,Philippines Tel/Phone: +6349 536-2865, +6349 536-1044
Website: www.aseanbiodiversity.org
General Inquiry: contact.us@aseanbiodiversity.org
Trang 3‘We have to protect our natural heritage’ 5
Global Conservation News 6
Special Reports
Overview of Recreation, Tourism and Ecotourism
By Donna Paz T Reyes, Ph D.
Key Considerations in Recreation, Development and Management 6
By Filiberto A Pollisco, Ph D.
The Southern Gateway of Malaysia:
Johor National Parks Corporation 2
Capacitating ASEAN Protected Area Managers
Inlay Lake Wildlife Sanctuary 2
Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary 6
Viet Nam
Ba Be National Park 9
Cover photo: Bali Mangrove
Photo by Rolly A Inciong
Trang 4j u l Y - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 n w w w a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y o r g
letters, articles, suggestions and photos are welcome and should be addressed to:
The Editor-in-Chief ASEAN Biodiversity
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity College, laguna
E-mail: publications@aseanbiodiversity.org
Editor- in-Chief
Monina T Uriarte
Managing Editor
Bridget P Botengan
Creative Artist
Nanie S Gonzales
Writer-Researcher
Sahlee Bugna-Barrer
EDITORIAl BOARD
Rodrigo U Fuentes
Executive Director
Clarissa C Arida
Director, Programme Development and
Implementation
Ma Consuelo D Garcia
Director, Biodiversity Information
Management
Gregorius Wisnu Rosariastoko
Director, Networking, Partnership and Resource Mobilization
Rolando A Inciong
Head, Public Affairs
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) Headquarters:
3F ERDB Bldg Forestry Campus university of the Philippines-los Baños College, laguna, Philippines
Telefax: +63-49.536-2865 E-mail: contact.us@aseanbiodiversity.org Website: www.aseanbiodiversity.org
ACB Annex:
Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1156 Philippines
Printed by: Dolmar Press, Inc.
No of Copies: 2,000 Disclaimer: Views or opinions expressed herein
do not necessarily represent any official view
of the European union nor the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat The authors are responsible for any data or information presented in their articles
asean
BIODIVERSITY
Conserve Biodiversity, Save Humanity
Bookmarks
Conservation Beyond Borders
Accounting for Biodiversity Loss in Southeast Asia
Biodiversity and Food Security: Understanding the Threat 5
ACB Celebrates Growing Cooperation Between the EU and the ASEAN 6
The Philippines is ‘Ecotourism Destination of the Year’ 6
Singapore Hosts 7th Meeting of ACB Governing Board 7
ACB Holds 2nd NCP Meeting 7
ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Holds rd Special Meeting 8
Surfing the Web of Life 8
Trang 5The.increasing.food.needs.of.the.world’s.rapidly.grow-—.mixed.farming.systems,.integrated.pest.management,.crop.rotation,.organic.agriculture,.recycling.of.crop.and.animal.wastes,.cover.cropping,.and.other.mechanisms We.also.call.on.governments.to.establish.an.enabling.environment.to.encourage.farmers.and.other.food.producers.to.adopt.sustain-able.agricultural.practices
We.need.all.hands.on.deck.to.face.these.daunting.challenges We.call.on.policymakers,.government.organiza-tions,.the.private.sector,.non-government.organizations,.the.academe,.women,.youth,.and.all.the.other.sectors.of.society.to.take.an.active.role.in.protecting.and.conserving.South-east.Asia’s.biodiversity.for.our.children,.and.their.children’s.children
On.this.41st.anniversary.of.the.ASEAN,.let.us.renew.our.commitment.to.work.together.in.protecting.what.is.left.of.the.region’s.natural.heritage Let.us.act.now.before.it.is.too.late
‘We have to protect our natural heritage’
Message of ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity Executive Director Rodrigo U Fuentes,
on the occasion of the 41st Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),
06 August 2008
Trang 6– Environment News Service
Over half of Europe’s
the.short.term,.conservation-captive.breeding.programmes
phibians – guardian.co.uk
for.the.most.threatened.am-Dam construction will destroy Cambodian wildlife
U.N launches programme to cut deforestation emissions
– Reuters News Service
White-rumped vulture (Photo by Marek jobda/Rare Birds Yearbook)
The Sumatran orangutan, Pongo
abelii, is listed as Critically
Endangered on the IUCN Red List (Photo by Anup Shah courtesy ARKive)
Crested newt (Photo by john Cancalosi/
Nature Picture library/Rex Features)
New study shows decline
in migratory waterbirds
September 15.–.A.report.by.
Wetlands.International.for.the.African-Eurasian.Migratory.Waterbird.Agreement.(AEWA).called.Conservation.Status.of.Migratory.Waterbirds.in.the.African-Eurasian.Flyways.re-veals.a.decline.in.40%.of.522.studied.migratory.waterbird.populations.on.routes.across.Africa.and.Eurasia Migratory.waterbirds,.particularly.long-distance.migrants,.are.highly.vulnerable.to.environmental.changes To.complete.their.annual.life.cycles,.they.depend.upon.separate.geographic.regions.in.breeding.and.non-breeding.seasons.that.may.be.thousands.of.kilometers.apart,.as.well.as.a.network.of.stop-over.sites.along.the.route International.cooperation.agreements.such.as.the.AEWA.are.essential.in.protecting.the.network.of.sites.required.by.migratory.waterbirds –.UNEP
Palawan animals’ extinction looms
September 14.–.Scientists.
raised.warnings.about.the
Trang 7GLOBAL CONSERVATION NEWS
currently.piloting.two.Pay-ern.Dong.Nai.River.Basin
(PES).projects.in.the.south-and.Son.La.province PES.is
ment.tool.that.has.been.used
Black-shanked doucs (Photo by Wildlife Conservation Society)
A joint team of Vietnamese government officials and GTZ staff head out to the mangrove restoration site in Soc Trang Province, Vietnam
(Photo by GTZ)
Maturing mangrove forests along the coast of Soc Trang Province (Photo by GTZ)
Hawskbill Turtle
Trang 8Malaysia and the EU
to sign agreement for trade in timber products
Lao PDR: Bringing light
to remote villages
July 3.–.The.Sunlabob.Rural.
Energy.Ltd.(www.sunlabob.com).in.Lao.PDR.is.giving.poor.rural.communities.access.to.electricity.by.renting.out.solar-based.systems Services.from.solar.power.facilities.can.be.availed.of.at.the.individual,.family.and.community.levels The.programme.is.prov-ing.highly.successful.since.it.avoids.the.high.start-up.costs.and.ensures.reliable.service Putting.the.community.in.charge.of.the.process.has.also.ensured.sustainability To.date,.1,800.solar.home.systems.and.500.solar.lanterns.have.been.rented.out.to.families.in.73.villages.in.Laos The.company
A photo released by firefly expert Anchana Thancharoen of
Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand, shows the rare
firefly species Luciola aquatilis, perched on a plant.
This photograph taken in July 2008 from a camera trap shows a leopard in Sebangau National Park
in Indonesia’s Central Kalimantan province.
Project to protect key pollinators
Food.and.Agriculture.Orga-Lao villagers erect a solar panel system (Photo by Cathy Williams/IRIN)
GLOBAL CONSERVATION NEWS
Trang 9Solar panels are providing low-cost alternative energy to poor rural villagers in remote parts of Laos
(Photo by Cathy Williams/IRIN)
GLOBAL CONSERVATION NEWS
Study shows extinction risks are vastly underestimated
than.previously.thought Cur-at.two.risk.factors,.which.are
individual.deaths.within.a.small
mental.conditions.that.can
population.can.overcome.a.sud-through.habitat.loss,.or.whether
national.Union.for.the.Conser-
it.will.be.wiped.out The.Inter-vation.of.Nature.(IUCN).says.that.there.are.more.than.16,000.species.worldwide.threatened.with.extinction,.and.one.in.four.mammals,.one.in.eight.birds.and.one.in.three.amphibians.are.on.the.IUCN’s.endangered.species.“Red.List” –.Agence France Presse
Census of marine life opens with 22,000 species
July 1.–.Using.the.internet.
dreds.of.scientists.around.the.world,.the.Census.of.Marine.Life.aims.to.provide.a.full.and.flexible.list.of.the.world’s.innumerable.marine.species With.120,000.species.now.online,.the.Census.considers.itself.half-way.to.its.goal.of.checking.and.validating.the.230,000.marine.species.cur-rently.known.to.science Once.completed,.the.World.Register.of.Marine.Species,.called.WoRMS,.will.be.the.first.source.for.descriptions.on.all.marine.life –.mongabay.com.
and.with.the.help.of.hun-The ASEAN region is significant to global biodiversity
because it contains 40 percent of all species on Earth
despite covering only 3 percent of the world’s surface
It includes three mega-diversity countries (Indonesia,
Malaysia and the Philippines), several biogeographical
units (e g., Malesia, Wallacea, Sundaland, Indo-Burma
and the Central Indo-Pacific), and numerous centers of
concentration of restricted-range bird, plant and insect
species Saving ASEAN’s Natural Tresures is a testament
to the richness of the region’s biodiversity, as well as an
illustration of numerous threats to local resources
Saving ASEAN’s Natural Tresures provides information
on the significance of biodiversity, the wealth of habitats,
species and ecosystems of the Southeast Asia, and various
threats to the environment The video also highlights the
formation of the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) Programme
and the need for trans-boundary cooperation It includes
video vignettes on the wonders and dangers faced by
specific species, habitats and AHPs It was produced by
Available in DVD and VCD format To get a copy, log on to www.aseanbiodiversity.org.
the ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation (now the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity) with support from the European Union
Saving ASEAN’s Natural Treasures
Trang 11mules.and.wagons).who.trekked.to.the.backcountry wilderness.of.the.Sierra.Nevada
Trang 122 j u l Y - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 n w w w a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y o r g
Promoting.the.need.for.community
participation and the trickling down
of economic benefits to local residents
were.a.response.to.this.problem David
Western,.the.first.President.of.the.Eco-tourism Society, notes that the
consci-entious concerns for nature were soon
extended to local (usually indigenous)
The word “ecotourism”, however, is
often attributed to Ceballos-Lascurain
cal.and.cultural.diversity,.promotes.en-vironmental.understanding.and.educa-tion,.and.yields.socio-economic.benefits
enhances.the.conservation.of.bio-physi-to the concerned community” pines,.DENR.-.DOT.1998)
Wildlife.tourism.-.travel.to.ob-their.native.habitats
• quiring.physical.skill.and.endur-ance.such.as.rope.climbing
Adventure.tourism.-.tourism.re-Agricultural tourism, another geoning.form.of.tourism,.refers.to.visits
bur-the.focus.of.attraction,.with.associated.cultural.attractions.being.recognized.as
a secondary component (Boo, 1990) The.resulting.interaction.with.nature.is.motivated by a desire to appreciate or.learn about the attraction in terms of.its intrinsic qualities He also stressed.that.qualifying.activities.should.be.car-ried out in a sustainable way (Blamey,.1997)
tourism.as.soft.and.hard Soft.ecotour-ism.refers.to.short-term,.frequently.me-diated.interactions.with.nature.that.are.often just one component of a multi-purpose.tourism.experience Hard.eco-tourism,.on.the.other.hand,.emphasizes.an.intense,.personal.and.prolonged.en-counter.with.nature,.normally.in.a.wil-
solely by the recreational activities of
the tourist Ecotourism is further fined by its benefits to both conserva-tion and people in the host country
Sustainable tourism
The World Tourism Organisation.(1990).defined.sustainable.tourism.as.“a.form.of.economic.development.that.is.designed.to.improve.the.quality.of.life
of the host community,” with the lowing.seven.characteristics:
fol-• nations,
Increases.travel.to.natural.desti-• Minimizes the impact of such.travel,
• Builds environmental ness,
aware-• Provides.direct.financial.benefits.to.conservation,
• Provides financial benefits and.empowerment.for.local.people
• Respects.local.culture,.and
• Supports human rights and.democratic.movements.(Honey,.1999)
Ecotourism is a low impact, environmentally sound and
community-participatory tourism activity in a given natural
environment that enhances the conservation of bio-physical
and cultural diversity, promotes environmental understanding
and education, and yields socio-economic benefits to the
concerned community.
SPECIAL REPORTS
2 j u l Y - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 n w w w a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y o r g
Trang 13Practitioners.also.differentiate.heri-tage from history HeriPractitioners.also.differentiate.heri-tage implies.
interpretation and means “that which
is inherited from the past” (Herbert,
1995).Interpretation goes beyond the
physical evidence of history, such as
archaeological artifacts or the tangible
remains.that.preoccupy.scientists.(Ash-worth,.1992)
Schouten (1995) describes the
in-terrelationship between the two terms
and defined heritage as history
pro-cessed through mythology, ideology,
that.history,.commemoration.and.con-servation are all, therefore, implicitly
political What a self-defined group or
Trang 14Ecotourism may also provide
al-ternative forms of economic
develop-ment (Wearing, 1999) and livelihood
for.communities Ecotourism.appeared
to.offer.a.sustainable.development.op-tion for countries, regions and local
communities,.which.would.provide.an
incentive to retain and manage their
wildlands and wildlife and hence the
crucial biodiversity of life It could be
an.alternative.to.the.rapacious,.resource
extraction of the logging and mining
sectors It could also earn desperately
sought foreign currency and bring in
paid.by.various.enterprises,.indirect.tax-provided.in.areas.where.alternative.ways
able.(Middleton.1974)
of.earning.a.living.are.not.usually.avail-Does tourism/ecotourism lead to conservation? Carr (1992) notes that,.
despite.the.20-year.existence.of.tourism,
very little infrastructural development
has been undertaken in rural areas
While natural wilderness has attracted
the trekker type of visitor, parks have
suffered from the absence of hardened
trails,.which.has.led.to.erosion.in.some
sites Wilson has remarked that many
nations in the South have extensive
cilities.and.staff.and.the.natural.areas.are
park.systems.on.paper,.but.these.lack.fa-not.protected.(Leccese,.1992)
tial to shape the public understanding
Ecohistorical.tourism.has.the.poten-of.historical.events,.particularly.through
educational packages for park visitors
These destinations have become the
suppliers of educational services, cially as part of formal education, as
espe-schools focus on the environment and
heritage.(Prentice,.1995)
ism becomes, and remains, a dynamic.tool of conservation management that.also provides community development.for local people, rather than seeing.national parks only as sites of tourism.business.(Bushell,.1999)
The.challenge.is.to.ensure.that.tour-Does ecotourism lead to local velopment? Bussell et al (2002) argue.
de-that ecotourism should also improve.the.quality.of.life.of.the.host.commu-nity Quality of life may be defined as.the physical and social attractiveness
of living in a place The factors that.contribute to people’s quality of life.include.public.safety,.food.costs,.living.space, housing standards, communica-tions, educational opportunities, levels
of health, peace and quiet, traffic flow.and.clean.air
Does ecotourism lead to preserving local culture?.The.socio-cultural.values.
of a protected area are highlighted in.ecotourism, which “has emerged as a.result of increasing global concern for.disappearing cultures and ecosystems”.(Kutay,.1990)
Does tourism/ecotourism increase community participation? A key as-
pect.of.ecotourism.is.that.it.is.based.on.participatory approaches that can in-crease.community.participation.in.their.co-management.of.protected.areas
j u l Y - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 n w w w a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y o r g
Part of Biak-na-Bato National Park, Philippines
Trang 15Approaches in ecotourism development
Product development approach
ucts.–.tours.and.destinations.–.and.uses
This.approach.focuses.on.two.prod-marketing principles and strategies
Marketing is a social and managerial
process where individuals and groups
obtain what they need and want by
creating and exchanging products and
value.with.others
A product is defined as “anything
tention, acquisition, use, or consump-tion.that.might.satisfy.a.want.or.need It
that.can.be.offered.to.a.market.for.at-sons, places, organizations and ideas”
includes.physical.objects,.services,.per-(Kotler 1989) When a product has
been identified, there is a need to ate a brand or brand image about the
cre-product, to differentiate the product
from other goods and services, as well
as.create.a.positive.image.of.the.chosen
product.among.target.consumers
The target market also has to be
divided to facilitate more cost-effective
marketing, through the design, tion and delivery of purpose-designed
promo-products,.aimed.at.satisfying.the.needs.or
target.groups Market.segments.may.be
based.on.scope,.age,.group.interest,.cost
clude print (brochures, flyers, posters),
In.contrast.to.the.product.develop-ment approach, this strategy aims to
contribute to community ment and poverty alleviation In de-veloping countries, community-based
empower-approaches have great potential in
achieving.social.change These.efforts,
however,.need.to.be.supported.by.the
government and other stakeholders
to produce a holistic, integrated proach
ap-Libosada.(1993).identified.some.of
tourism.in.the.Philippines.and.these.in-clude.the.following:
the.problems.in.the.promotion.of.eco-• tion.platforms.and.accommoda-tion.near.the.site
Lack.of.facilities.such.as.observa-• Destructive industries such as
logging and dynamite fishing
Unstable.peace.and.order.condi-• Environmental.degradation
• ters.as.the.carrying.capacity.of.an.ecotourism.destination
Lack.of.research.into.such.mat-Calimag (1993) recommends that.biodiversity.resources.be.maintained.fol-lowing.sustainable.use.practices Research.must.be.conducted.to.better.understand.the.local.environment.and.determine.the.status.of.biodiversity Planners.and.gov-ernment officials can support biodiver-sity,.the.community.and.local.economies
by integrating ecotourism principles in.planning Consultation among stake-holders.must.be.undertaken.to.generate.awareness.of.local.biodiversity.and.gener-ate.support.for.ecotourism
Managing ecotourism
Sharing experiences with managers.and stakeholders in other ecotourism.destinations.will.provide.a.better.picture.of.how.to.improve.the.management.of.the.site,.increase.traffic.and.enhance.vis-itor.appreciation Aside.from.determin-ing.and.highlighting.the.best.features.of.the.park,.it.would.also.be.good.to.pro-vide.other.associated.tourism.activities,.enhance.the.recreational.setting,.as.well.as.address.the.challenges.that.come.with.ecotourism
nations.should.be.classified.according.to.the.type.of.environment,.visitor.use,.and.target market This will help managers.analyze.supply.and.demand.and.protect.sensitive environments Determining.visitor.volume.is.also.significant.so.that.managers.may.know.how.to.satisfy.large.groups of visitors without harming the.environment Local sites must gener-ate.partnerships.with.other.stakeholders.given economic, business management.and social considerations in park man-agement This.entails.working.with.a.re-sponsible.tourism.industry.as.well.as.inte-grating.ecotourism.principles.in.tourism.management.across.the.region
Worboys.(2001).suggests.that.desti-Dr Donna Paz T Reyes is the Director
of the Environmental Studies Institute
of Miriam College, Quezon City, Philippines
Trang 166 j u l Y - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 n w w w a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y o r g
6 A P R I l - j u N E 2 0 0 8 n w w w a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y o r g
SPECIAL REPORTS
Trang 17key cOnsideratiOns in recreatiOn
Management of parks and other.heritage sites entails the following ac-tivities:
1 Enhancing aesthetics and nages;
sig-2 Confining visitors and ing.waste;
manag-3 Ensuring safety and security;.and
4 Reducing.impacts.on.resources
Impacts of Ecotourism
Potential Ecological Problems
Ecological.problems.may.arise.from
Trang 18on corals Developers may damage or.
destroy areas by constructing hotels,
boardwalks, restaurants, shops, roads,
parking lots, and other facilities in or
very.close.to.sensitive.areas
These and other activities may cause
stress in animals in protected areas, and
thus affect movement, foraging, and
can potentially lead to ecological change
through population increases in the
ha-
bituated.or.unaffected.species,.possibly.al-tering.the.densities.of.their.competitors.or
prey.(Griffiths.and.Van.Schaik,.1993)
In terms of flora, there may also be
long-term consequences on the floristic
develop-Education requires training key
leave.them.with.a.more.lasting.impres-To lessen damage to the environment,
tours must operate in small groups,
avoid wasteful practices and minimize
visitor.impact.on.the.environment
tourism.is.important.to.prevent.the.ero-sion of local culture Developers must
Managing.local.development.in.eco-employ locals to support the economy
and.the.community,.as.well.as.use.local
goods.in.their.enterprise Infrastructure
should be controlled but at the same
time.be.able.to.handle.a.large.volume.of.tourists Accommodations should also.not.impair.the.site’s.aesthetic.values
Guidelines and guides
Guides play a key role in ism They should brief the tourists on.the.cultural.and.environmental.regula-tions.before.the.hike While.guides.be-come.liable.for.any.actions.committed.by.the.tourist,.they.are.also.constrained.to.ensure.the.safety.of.tourists
ecotour-pected to behave appropriately in eco-tourism.destinations,.and.should.show.sensitivity.to.both.the.environment.and.the local community Ethical behavior.requires.the.following.actions:
Both.the.guides.and.visitors.are.ex-1 Respect local
culture:.Tour.op-erators and guides should duct.research.and.learn.about.lo-cal.customs,.habits,.history,.and.SPECIAL REPORTS
con-8 j u l Y - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 n w w w a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y o r g
Trang 19the language or dialect They.
should.learn.and.observe.proper
etiquette for greeting, eating,
and dealing with the people in
the community Such
informa-tion should also be part of the
briefing.details.provided.to.visi-
tors Photographs.should.be.tak-en within the guidelines set by
locals, and requests for privacy
should be respected Visitors
should dress appropriately and
avoid.making.unnecessary.com-ments on the cultural practices
of.the.people.in.the.area
2 Minimize impact on the
en-vironment: Visitors should
al-ways carry trash bags for their
own litter and deposit these in
designated places Toilet
facili-ties should be used properly If
there.are.no.toilets.available,.do
ing.monitoring.and.evaluation,.should
Impact.assessment,.as.part.of.ongo-be part of all ecotourism initiatives
When such methodological rigor is
introduced into ecotourism initiatives,
for.other.projects.and.places,.and.genu-There is definitely a need for constant
scientific monitoring of animal and
plant populations.and tentive management of ecotourism
habitats.and.at-sites
Research as a management tool
There is a need for more hensive and long-term research on is-sues,.as.well.as.the.investigation.of.other
compre-sites experiencing tourist pressure
Re-Different stakeholders provide varying.definitions of the term Among these.are.the.following:
• Economist’s View: “The mum population that can be.sustained.indefinitely.in.the.fu-ture”.(Srinivasan,.1988)
maxi-• Biologist’s View: “The largest.number.of.any.given.species.that.a.habitat.can.support.indefinitely When.that.maximum.population.level is suppressed, the resource.base begins to decline – and.sometimes.thereafter,.so.does.the.population”.(Postel,.1994)
• Environmentalist’s View: “The.number.of.a.species.that.can.be.supported indefinitely without.degrading.the.environment For.human societies, it means the.ability to meet food needs over.the long term, i.e sustainably”.SPECIAL REPORTS
Sustainable ecotourism requires a balance between conservation
and development The maintenance of this balance through
informed natural resource management and visitor control
requires sustained observation and monitoring of natural and
human populations and impacts
not dispose human waste near
bodies of water As consumers,
Sustainable ecotourism requires a
balance between conservation and
de-velopment The maintenance of this
balance through informed natural
re-source management and visitor
will.minimize.the.impacts.on.the.biodi-to.protect
Investing in research, education,
and local development is a good ness.decision
busi-These investments pay off in tomer.satisfaction,.value.of.the.final.tour-ist.product,.long-term.economic.sustain-ability,.and.appeal.to.mass.media
cus-systems and wildlife is also a sound
While different scientists and perts.have.varying.views.on.a.site’s.car-rying.capacity,.Miller.and.Malek-Zadeh.(1996).state.that.“…it.is.worth.pointing.out.that.the.determination.of.appropri-ate.levels.of.use.is.as.much.a.value.judg-ment,.related.to.the.goals.set.for.the.site,.as.a.technical.problem Many.research-ers.have.eschewed.the.search.for.a.magic.number,.which.can.be.approached.with.impunity and exceeded at peril, rec-ognizing that management is required.from.the.time.that.the.first.tourists.ar-rive, if not before, and that trade-offs.will.be.required.”
Trang 20succeed in an area where the.
places of interest can sustain
significant.annual.revenues.for
the communities How high
these revenues should be is,
however,.a.point.of.continuous
debate.(Murphree,.2001)
2 Market demand: “No matter.
how many conservationists
view it,” Libosada (1998)
5 Link to biodiversity: When.
there is no perceived linkage
between tourism enterprise
and biodiversity, a linked
enterprise strategy will, by
definition,.not.work.(Salafsky
et.al 2001).
6 Cash benefits:.Despite.all.the.
noble intentions of
ecotour-ism, it finally boils down to
cash Short-term economic
gains are necessary for a
suc-cessful ecotourism enterprise
(France,.1997)
7 Non-cash benefits: Benefits.
can include those that are
non-cash such as promoting
trust.and.cooperation.between
stakeholders, which can have
positive effects (Salafsky et.al
9 Distribution: While
ecotour-ism has the potential to
pro-vide substantial benefits to
communities, this will not
always.be.the.case Too.often,
the majority of the benefits
accrue to elites and little mains for local communities
re-(Sherman and Dixon, 1997)
Ensuring an equal tion.of.benefits.among.differ-ent.stakeholders.is.essential.for
distribu-a.successful.community-based
enterprise.strategy
10 Stakeholder group: There.
must be a community of
stakeholders who have the
tant.determinant.for.success.in.community-based.enterprises
13 Stakeholder homogeneity:.
nal differentiations but these.should.be.contained.by.a.sense.of.collective.communal.interest Without.it,.and.regardless.of.the.presence of the other positive.elements,.communal.enterprises.would.have.little.chance.of.suc-cess.(Murphree,.2001)
Every.community.has.its.inter-14 Conflict: When
human-caused.turmoil.is.affecting.an.enterprise,.it.has.direct.effects.on.the.sustainability.and.prof-itability.of.the.enterprise
15 Enforceability: Stakeholders.
force rules and regulations to.safeguard.the.natural.resources.on.which.their.enterprises.ul-timately.depend
should.have.the.ability.to.en-16 Threat source: Stakeholders.
should have the capacity to.mitigate threats in order to.facilitate.a.successful.ecotour-
ism enterprise (Salafsky et.al
prise.and.the.biodiversity.upon.which.it.depends.are.external,.they.can.be.dealt.with.a.little.easier However, if threats are.primarily internal, it will be.hard.to.counter.them
2001) If.threats.to.the.enter-17 Chaos: Turmoil is bad for.
business A certain amount
of flexibility is a necessity for.a.successful.community-based.tourism.enterprise.but.operat-ing in a highly unpredictable.socio-economic and political.environment is impossible.(Murphree,.2001)
18 Project alliance: It is an
ab-solute necessity for projects.related to biodiversity con-servation to create collabora-tive partnerships with other.institutions and to mobilize.broader support from society.in.order.to.facilitate.interven-tions.(McNeely,.1999)
Dr Filiberto A Pollisco is the Policy and Program Development Specialist
of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
SPECIAL REPORTS
capacity to counter internal
and external threats to
biodi-versity Salafsky et.al (2001).
found that there is a strong
correlation between the acteristics of the stakeholder
char-group and the success of the
enterprise
11 Leadership: The insights,
in-genuity,.and.the.commitment
als in positions of influence
of.socially.dedicated.individu-strumental.in.setting.up.a.vi-able.ecotourism.business The
and.leadership.prove.to.be.in-“personal.factor”.turns.out.to
terminant.of.success.or.failure
Trang 21further.envisions.to.create.world.heritage sites.with.a.sustainable,.rich.and.diverse ecosystem.to.support.universal.wellness These.will.primarily.be.achieved.
through.the.implementation.of.action plans.of.the.established.parks,.aimed at.preserving.and.protecting.their.
natural.heritage,.and.providing.areas.for environmental.or.nature.education.and recreation,.ecotourism,.and.research.and nature.education.while.moving.toward excellent.management
Trang 22The JNPC has gazetted Endau–
Rompin forest reserve in the State of
Johor as its first Johor National Park
in 1996 The total area covered about
48,905 hectares within the district of
Mersing and Segamat Today, after 20
man-tions Moving.forward.through.various
in.cooperation.with.different.organiza-challenges,.JNPC.continues.to.strive.in
ensuring the best protected area
man-fully.soon.in.Peninsular.Malaysia
agement.in.the.state.of.Johor.and.hope-Endau-Rompin Johor National Park
Covering.an.area.of.48,905.hectares.(489.square.kilometers),.Endau.Rompin
is the second largest national park in.Peninsular Malaysia It is a primary
22 j u l Y - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 n w w w a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y o r g
Trang 23SPECIAL REPORTS
sanctuary.and.is.one.of.the.oldest.tropi-cal.rainforests.in.the.world Numerous
threats.to.the.Park.unfortunately.make
it one of the biodiversity hotspots in
Malaysia for tropical rainforest The
Park provides habitats for more than
250.species.of.birds,.43.fishes,.26.frogs,
14.snakes,.9.lizards,.3.turtles.and.179
butterflies, some of which are
threat-ened with extinction and not found
elsewhere.in.the.world.(Scientific.Expe-dition,.1985-86)
Endau Rompin (Peta) is located
at Hulu Endau, Mersing and covers
40 percent of the total gazetted area
heath.forest,.river.vegetation,.field.for-species include Livistona endauensis,.
Dischidia major, Laxocarpus tunkuii,.
Phylantus watsomii and Nepenthes pullaria Wildlife.is.plentiful,.and.inter-
am-noceros, panther, arowana, puffer fish
esting.fauna.include.the.Sumatran.rhi-and.stingray
Visitors.have.a.number.of.options
when visiting the Park Aside from
the.flora.and.fauna,.places.of.interest
include the Janing Barat palm forest,
the Kuala Marong Masheer (Kelah)
conservation sites, the Blue Lagoon,
the Upeh Guling Waterfall and the
Buaya Sangkut Waterfall They can
also.camp.or.rest.at.the.Pantai.Burung
campsite/picnic.ground The.Park.also.features an orchid collection and the.ethno-botanical garden Aside from.the.campsites,.there.are.dorms.or.cha-lets where guests can stay overnight Popular activities include trekking,.camping, swimming, kayaking and.white water rafting Visitor informa-tion.is.available.at.the.Kampung.Peta.visitor.complex
The.Endau.Rompin.Johor.National.Park also has a Nature Education and.Research.Center.(NERC).that.manages.the.conservation.and.preservation.of.the.Park’s.biodiversity Activities.mainly.fo-cus.on.inventory.and.biological.research,.park.planning.and.management,.nature.education.to.enhance.public.awareness,.ecotourism and community involve-ment.in.NERC.activities
Nepenthes ampullaria
Upeh Guling Waterfall
Highland dipterocarp forest
Trang 24as “more than just a mountain It is.
a living legend.” For centuries, it has
been known as a profoundly spiritual
place Up to this time, mystics still
land.dipterocarp,.hill.dipterocarp,.low-er montane, and montane ericaceous
Recorded species in Tanjung Piai:
watching The Park headquarters and
its surrounding area is known as man.Hutan.Lagenda,.and.is.located.at
Ta-the.foot.of.the.mountain.in.Sagil The
headquarters.offers.accomodations.and.facilities for conferences / workshops.facilities, and for overnight stays at.their chalets, dormitories, and camp-sites
2 j u l Y - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 n w w w a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y o r g
White Handed Gibbon Sagil Waterfall
Gunung Ledang
Trang 25SPECIAL REPORTS
Tanjung Piai Johor National Park
Tanjung Piai Johor National Park
lies at the southernmost tip of
are.intertidal.mudflats It.has.a.shore-line that stretches eight kilometers
Some 20 mangrove species and nine
mangrove-associated species thrive in
the.Park
Interesting.species.include.the.dusky
leaf monkey, long-tailed macaque,
mudskipper,horseshoe crab, lesser jutant, white throated kingfisher and
ad-crested.serpent.eagle
signed.for.individuals.or.groups These
The.Park.offers.varied.activities.de-activities include birdwatching; teer programmes; fishing; viewing of
volun-the.sunset;.guided.tours.and.park.trails
Facilities.found.within.and.around.the
visitors complex include an
informa-tion gallery, boardwalk, campsites, servation.tower,.fishing.platform,.tram.services,.obstacle.course,.souvenir.shop.and.the.Malacca.Strait.Jetty These.fea-tures encourage conservation activities.such.as.clean-ups.and.mangrove.plant-ing Other popular activities include.camping, fishing, birdwatching and.night.treks Visitors.can.also.view.agro-tourism.endeavors.in.the.Park,.such.as.the.bee.farm.and.fish.cage.culture.op-erations
ob-Mangroves
White Throated Kingfisher
Trang 26in Johor waters The Park covers 647.
hectares of mangroves and 800
• 8 species of water birds
• 2 species of migratory birds
• 6 species of water resident birds
• species of wetland dependent birds
• threatened bird species
has other distinct flora that include
geon.orchids.and.wild.ferns Distinctive
orchids.such.as.the.slipper.and.the.pi-fauna include the dusky leaf monkey,
long-tailed macaque, wildboar, otter
and.monitor.lizards
over and feeding point for migratory.birds.plying.what.is.known.as.the.East.Asian-Australiasian Flyway Migratory.birds include the globally-threatened.lesser adjutant stork Migratory birds.such as knots, tattlers, godwits, dow-itchers.and.sandpipers.fly.in.from.Sep-tember.to.February The.Oriental.honey.buzzard can also be found at the Park.from.September.to.December
Pulau.Kukup.is.an.important.stop-Park facilities include a visitor formation.center,.jetty,.boardwalk,.sus-pension.bridge.and.mini.aery.for.bird-watching
in-26 j u l Y - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 n w w w a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y o r g
Suspension Bridge Boardwalk
Snake River
Black-crowned night heron
Trang 27SPECIAL REPORTS
Mersing Island Johor National Park
conservation,.and.other.outdoor.activi-Pemanggil Island, Aur Island, Sibu land, Tinggi Island and Besar Island Seagulls, dugong and hawksbill turtles.can.also.be.found.at.the.Park
Is-Visitors can engage in a number of.activities, including scuba diving, snor-keling, island hopping, trekking, and.bird.watching Specific.points.of.interest.include the Royal Johor Artificial Reef,.the.black.marlin.fishing.area.on.Pemang-gil.Island,.and.the.turtle.hatcheries.(May-August).on.various.islands
Pemanggil Island
Dugong Seagulls
Hawksbill turtle