Just 30 minutes outside of Ipoh lies the Ulu Kinta Forest Reserve, an expanse of tall trees and the winding Kinta River that nourishes the land and beyond. Deeper into the forest, one discovers Kampung Sungai Tonggang, a quaint village inhabited by the Temiar Orang Asli. Yet, this village stands apart from others of its kind. Here, the community has transformed their natural surroundings into an eco-tourism haven.
It all started when a global pandemic rocked the world.
The pandemic was a defining year for the villagers of Kampung Sungai Tonggang. When the movement control order (MCO) was announced, many villagers lost their jobs. After the MCO, the village slowly lost its youths as many migrated to the city for opportunities.
“I was worried to see the youth leaving our village. While they may find employment elsewhere, here we risk losing our cultural heritage as more and more leave,” lamented Che Wan Bin Alang, Tok Batin (community head) of Kampung Sungai Tonggang. “I do not wish for our Temiar identity to be erased with time.”
While the village may lack modern infrastructure to create job opportunities, it has vast land and points of interest that may turn things around. “We were thinking about creating opportunities within the village, and the idea of creating a recreational and eco-tourism village came to mind,” said Norazrin Mamat, a Senior Programme Officer at Global Environment Centre (GEC).
GEC works on environmental issues and partners with local communities. This collaboration allows knowledge transfer between GEC, which has the technical expertise in the environment, and the local communities, who are knowledgeable about their area. “We approached the project using a nature-based solution approach, where we make sure that anything we plan will not have a negative impact on the environment,” said Norazrin.
For instance, the chalets built in the village were carefully planned so that the construction site would not require total land clearing. “We shared our knowledge with the community about only removing trees that are already dead or at risk of falling,” added Norazrin.
The Orang Asli also contributed their wisdom to the design of the chalets. To emulate the natural ambiance of an Orang Asli village, the community recommended appropriate materials, structures, and designs to create a unique experience for guests.
After much discussion, Kayuh D’ Tonggang was born as an eco-tourism site, boasting two primary attractions: thrilling trails for mountain bikers and a camping experience along the pristine riverside. Apart from the steady flow of tourists visiting, seeing the youth returning to the village to be part of the eco-tourism project was a more meaningful achievement.
As part of the programme, several village youths took on the role of nature guides, enlightening tourists about the wonders of the forest, from identifying tree species to highlighting the benefits of herbs found along the trails. Through GEC’s training initiatives, the youth also form part of the team that systematically monitors the river’s water quality, ensuring a safe experience for visitors – finding tranquillity and harmony in their work surrounded by nature.
“I was surprised that the project worked out. Apart from being able to generate livelihood for the communities here, seeing the youth returning and being enthusiastic about the project was great. They too want to play their role,” said Che Wan.
Supported under the Hasanah Special Grant (HSG) by Yayasan Hasanah in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance Malaysia, the programme not only succeeded in attracting the youth back to the village but also assisted the community in generating income. “By the seventh month since its launch, the community had amassed close to RM 40,000 in revenue!” exclaimed Norazrin. “Previously, during school holidays, they were earning approximately RM 500 per day. Now, as the programme grows, they can easily double that amount—it’s a feat that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Yayasan Hasanah,” Norazrin added.
Koh Xiu Heng, Manager, Special Project Analyst at Yayasan Hasanah, shared, “Empowerment from the grassroots is the most crucial aspect when initiating any social impact projects. With the technical support and training from GEC, it’s inspiring to see the Temiar collective in the village today running the ecotourism business independently. The success of this programme underscores the significance of amplifying the voices, culture, and the strong connection of the Orang Asli with nature.”
Currently, Kayuh D’ Tonggang offers a plethora of nature-based activities that showcase the unique Temiar culture, such as weaving, demonstrations of traditional snares, trekking, and guided nature walks, among other things. But Che Wan has already been imagining ways to expand. He enthusiastically shared, “I’ve got loads of ideas, like adding fun water activities such as tubing to bring in more tourists. And I hope one day our river camping spot will be even more buzzing with activity, with our villagers coming here to set up little shops selling all sorts of goods.” Che Wan’s smile is infectious, full of hope and enthusiasm for the future.