Sustainable Livelihood of the Community in Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve: the Local Practices

Tasik Chini, the second largest fresh water lake in Malaysia is the land of Aboriginals or Orang Asli typically known, Orang Jakun. The Jakun community is highly dependent on the local ecosystem for their livelihood during the early years of their settlement in surrounding areas, particularly on the richness of the 12 sea or lauts of Tasik Chini. The mainstay of its economy in the last two decades was mainly forest based activities, including fishing, hunting and herbs gathering. However, due to the expansion of market economy in the late 1990s, tourism, mining and logging were allowed to take place in Tasik Chini. Nevertheless, such development had resulted in a substantial depletion of natural and cultural resources. This has called an urgency for the establishment of conservation and restoration plans and most importantly, a global initiative of making a nomination for Tasik Chini to be designated as the pioneer Biosphere Reserve in Malaysia. Definitely, this new concept has risen many questions on the Jakuns’ livelihood, especially on matters concerning their preferences and practices in the economy, social, cultural and environment. Based on survey results of six kampongs of Tasik Chini in year 2007 and two consequent visits to Kg. Gumum and Kg. Tanjung Puput in 2008 and 2009, this paper aims to delineate the situation, especially the existing livelihood and their socio-economic involvements as well as to gauge the local’s knowledge, aspiration and participation on Tasik Chini as Biosphere Reserve. This paper is written in three main parts. Part one describes the Biosphere Reserve of Tasik Chini. Part two elaborates the livelihood and socio economy condition while part three provides matters concerning Tasik Chini as Biosphere Reserve. The findings revealed that the local traditions supported the sustainability of Tasik Chini, while the penetration of the modern plantation economy and ecotourism have helped them to experience better livelihood.