Socioeconomic Activities in Kuching Wetlands National Park

Esther Tiffany, Redim (2019) Socioeconomic Activities in Kuching Wetlands National Park. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

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Abstract

Kuching Wetlands National Park (KWNP) is acknowledged by its significant role to protect the wildlife and aquatic ecosystem. KWNP serves as a tourism site and at the same time a place for local communities who live nearby the park to carry out their economic activities. This study was done to assess the socioeconomic activities of the local people residing near to the park. Interviews were conducted with 490 local people which were sampled through stratified random sampling. Results showed that forest and river resources of KWNP were widely utilized by the communities whom majority are farmers and fishermen. The perception on environmental quality of rivers of KWNP was studied as well among the local people with different age, educational background, occupation, and also income. It is found that the local respondents are still lack of awareness and knowledge concerning the park as conservation site for flora and fauna of wetlands. The excessive utilization of natural resources within and near to the park area should be reduced in the future by sustainable management to avoid flora and fauna extinction in the future. The involvement of local people in ecotourism industry at the park is also recommended in order to improve their livelihoods while in the same time reducing the rate of utilization of natural resources at the park area.

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