The Challenges and Socioeconomic Impacts of Proposed Road Development to Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia: A Case Study of Local Community Perspectives on Sustainable Tourism

Abstract

Gunung Mulu National Park (GMNP) is one of the two protected areas with UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) status in Malaysia. Until now, this area can only be accessed by tourists via air and water transportation only. Recently, the government has proposed the construction of a road connecting GMNP to several areas, including Miri City through a high-impact infrastructure project. However, this project might instigate the potential benefits and challenges in terms of tourism development and community well-being. As custodians of the park, their support for this initiative needs to be dismantled so that the management of the national park can still be implemented holistically and does not jeopardise the current UNESCO status of WHS. WHS is UNESCO-designated area of cultural, historical, scientific, or other significant value, legally safeguarded by international agreements, and preserved for the benefit of future generations due to its exceptional value to humanity. Thus, this study aims to examine challenges and socioeconomic impacts of the proposed road among key informants' perspectives at Long Terawan Village, Long Iman Village, Batu Bungan Village and GMNP Headquarters. The study was conducted via in-depth interviews with 10 community members residing in the settlement, including a tribal chief, boatman, lodging operator, park guide and farmer, all of whom are professionals and representatives of the local community. They were designated as key informants on account of their extensive engagement and development within the community. Through a thematic analysis, their perspectives on the proposed roads to be built in the area were elucidated. The study offers pragmatic understanding of socioeconomic impact assessment, which could inform strategic decision-making by incorporating information regarding potential benefits and challenges of the proposed road construction to an isolated protected area.

Citation

Ibrahim, M.S.N., Johari, S., Yahya, A.S.M., Zainol, R.M. and Hassan, S. (2024), "The Challenges and Socioeconomic Impacts of Proposed Road Development to Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia: A Case Study of Local Community Perspectives on Sustainable Tourism", Hunjra, A.I. and Sharma, A. (Ed.) The Emerald Handbook of Tourism Economics and Sustainable Development (Building the Future of Tourism), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 99-118. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-708-220241006