View: Look deeper into ‘eco-tourism’

Tuesday October 6, 2009

I REFER to the letter "Eco-tourism can be top draw" (The Star, Oct 3) and I wish to shed some light on the term eco-tourism.

First, I am a delighted that someone has highlighted Malaysian spots for nature appreciation. However, the examples given were not a true reflection of eco-tourism per se.

The International Ecotourism Society defines eco-tourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people".

What we see in Taman Negara or the Port Dickson beach belt, as mentioned by the writer, is anything but.

It is sad that the local tourism industry and the general public believe that any romp involving the countryside or national park is eco-friendly. This notion is making our country a laughing stock among foreign eco-tourists and eco-tour agents.

Taman Negara receives thousands of visitors every year. Yet, local orang asli are still living in poverty. They are treated as exhibits, not partners.

Has anyone seen a proper sewage treatment plant in Kuala Tahan? Where do you think human waste is flushed to?

Taman Negara is in fact taking a beating from mass tourism. That's why ikan kelah (Malaysian mahseer) is nearly extinct and has to be conserved upstream of Lubok Tenor.

In November 2008, wildlife department rangers found over 500 snares in one operation. Touristy trails had opened up more areas for intrusion.

Lake Chini was developed under the pretext of eco-tourism in mid 1990s. In 2004, it was widely known that Semelai natives living around the lake developed skin rashes and suffered from diarrhoea.

Studies showed this was due to untreated sewage dumped into the waterways by lake-side resorts and budget motels. Also, dams were built to maintain a high water level for boating pleasure. This has choked the natural flow, degraded the habitat and wiped out the lotus population. Today's Chini wetland is lifeless and tired.

Let's call a spade a spade. Call it bird watching, boat safari or nature tour, but never use the word eco-tourism if it's not doing any good for the ecology or local communities. Distorting eco-tourism for mass appeal is a disservice to the environment. Eco-tourism is never about elephant rides, Disney-fied forest parks or building multi-million ringgit ornamental eyesores.

If good examples are needed, look at Sipadan and Mt Kinabalu, Sabah. Daily visitors are limited to 120 and 146 respectively to avoid hospitality fatigue. Small-scale community-based eco-tourism in the Bario highlands, Sarawak, brings income directly to village households.

Ulu Geroh, Perak, is now famous for its orang asli-operated jungle trips. Visitors are guided to see wild Rafflesia Cantleyi blooms for a small fee, without any middlemen mark-ups or touristy fanfare.

Done correctly, eco-tourism is all about seeing life at its purest responsibly. Its spirit enriches lives and the ecology. So, don't jump in just because a brochure screams "eco-tourism". If you truly love nature, it pays to look deeper.

CASEY NG,

Ipoh.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Opinion 6 October 2009