Natural Resource Uses

• Main Authors: Mohamad Suhaidi, Salleh, Neilson Ilan, Mersat, Kamsiah, Ali, Farah, Zaini, Haslina, Hashim, Regina Garai, Abdullah
• Other Authors: Mohd Azlan, Jayasilan
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: UNIMAS Publisher 2022
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General)
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/40614/3/NATURAL%20RESOURCE%20USES%20-%20Copy.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/40614/

Samunsam is Sarawak’s oldest Wildlife Sanctuary and one of several Important Bird Areas in the State. The site, which was gazetted in 1979, covers an area of about 6,090 ha, and stretches from the border with Kalimantan, Indonesia, to within two kilometres from the coast. In line with State development plan, a number of areas near the Sanctuary have been identified as of economic importance. This has resulted in the construction of a road network that has transformed this once isolated area to an easy place to access. Therefore, the Samunsam area is likely to see significant impacts in the near future. Due to market expansions, national parks and nature reserves have become areas of interest and have vast potential for ecotourism. Areas adjacent to Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary are dominated by villages, orchards and plantations, where most livelihoods currently depend. In view of this, a community’s perspective is crucial in decision-making within future development projects in the area. This chapter explores socio-economic impacts and opportunities in and around Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary. Demographics and the dependency on the natural resources by the local community were investigated based on in-depth interview and focus group discussions.