The impact of indigenous cultural and traditional practices on nature conservation perspectives: A study of the Batek Negrito in Malaysia / Teh Kate Yng

This study seeks to explore the cultures and traditions of one of the earliest ethnic
groups, Batek Negrito, who inhabits the rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia, which are
correspondingly related to their concerns on the values of forest resources and the importance
of environmental protection. Taking the case on Taman Negara Pahang in Kuala Tahan, indepth
interviews were conducted face-to-face and non-participant observations were employed
to supplement the qualitative data from the interviews. The findings reveal that the forest
protection is the prime concern for Batek who sustain themselves by hunting and gathering
forest produces. Their knowledge and awareness of sustainability which have been developed
over thousands of years, the aboriginal rituals and animistic beliefs about the sacred forest were
also found as contributors to supportive attitudes towards nature conservation. However, this
study has found two conflicting perspectives on nature conservation among the respondents:
forest protection and unsustainable harvesting of forest resources. Claiming themselves as the
original inhabitants of the forest lands, the Batek argued they should be granted the rights over
the resources in their territories. Hence, understanding the indigenous cultural and traditional
practices can contribute to even greater understanding of their perspectives on nature
conservation which could help to preserve the cultural rights of the aborigines, their
‘supermarket’ and the national park, at the same time.