Ayer Hitam community participations in conservation: a conceptual paper

Peat swamp forest (PSF) has high potential in delivering wide range of economic and social benefits through developing ecotourism to conservation. However it is rarely to be optimised due to poor performance and involvement of locals as they are been viewed to simply gain benefits from tourism development rather than having cooperation in the process of achieving such development. Therefore, this conceptual paper aimed to explore the concept of community participations to conserve peat swamp forest (PSF) in Ayer Hitam Johor. In such, local participation is vital to ensure the availability of natural resources are well managed purposely to maximise the benefits, minimise the cost and reduce negative impacts resulted from conservation. This conceptual paper is solely based on secondary data in which gathered from journal, articles, research project and manual

Local community readiness and willingness to conservation of peat swamp forest in Air Hitam Muar.

Peat swamp forest (PSF) has high potential in delivering wide range of economic and social benefits through developing ecotourism to conservation. However it is rarely to be optimised due to poor performance and involvement of locals as they are been viewed to simply gain benefits from tourism development rather than having cooperation in the process of achieving such development. Less awareness due to lack of knowledge and skills by the locals were also contributed to unwell management of natural resources. Therefore, this paper aimed to investigate the readiness and willingness of local community to participate in conserving PSF in Ayer Hitam Johor. In such, it is vital for natural resources to be well managed purposely to maximise the benefits, minimise the cost and reduce negative impacts resulted from conservation as well as achieving successful Community based conservation (CBC) in Ayer Hitam Muar. This study is quantitative nature. It was carried out by conducting survey around 30 respondents who living in adjacent to Ayer Hitam PSF. The data was analysed by using IBM statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21 through several analysis such as descriptive analysis, descriptive analysis and reliability analysis. The outcomes of the research shows that majority of local community were received both direct and indirect benefits which influence the local community to participate in protect the peat swamp forest. In addition to this, the result shows that most of the locals acknowledged on the issues and current situation of the peat swamp forest, however few of them were not physically ready and willing to contribute in conservation due to age factor. The major contribution that can be seen is the local participation can lead toward developing tourism attraction on peat swamp forest in sustainability way through establishing Community based Conservation which able to protect the environment

Chetty: the unforgotten

Melaka is one of the historical cities which is famous with its culture and heritage values. Unfortunately, Chetty’s community is closely to be left out and forgotten despite of any tourism commercialization by the Melaka State Government. Therefore, in order to make this Chetty’s community to be acknowledged by the local people and tourists around the world, the concept of Augmented Reality is vital to be introduced in order to curb the distinction of this community. This initiative is produced in live brochure form to promote the culture and custom of the Chetty’s community in Melaka which resulted from an improper medium of marketing and promotion. Furthermore, this live brochure comprises of all the information related to the Chetty’s community such as navigation, attractions, activities, customs and lifestyle that present the Chetty’s features which located in Kampung Gajah Berang. Nevertheless, this initiative can lift up their image as one of the unique minority ethnics in Melaka World Heritage Site. The live brochure will also benefit the Chetty’s community in tourism activities specifically in preserving the priceless values of that community based on their history and custom which could be protected. Consequently, it will become one of the attractive tourism destinations in Melaka World Heritage Site with exclusive design of the brochure and able to captivate the tourists’ attention