Ecotourism To Generate New Income Streams For Rural Communities
LUNDU: Ecotourism development is set to become a new focal point for the Opar constituency starting next year, leveraging forests, mountain ranges, and waterfalls to generate job opportunities and revenue streams for rural communities.
Opar Assemblyman Billy Sujang said that following the provision of essential basic infrastructure across most villages, development focus must now pivot toward economic activities capable of delivering direct benefits to residents.
According to him, the Opar area possesses natural treasures with high potential to be promoted as community-based tourism products, including hiking trails, waterfalls, and pristine mountain landscapes.
“Accordingly, we want to see how this potential can be harnessed to generate income for residents, including through the provision of homestays, tour guiding services, and the sale of local delicacies,” he said.
He said this when speaking at the Permanent Forest Reserve Empowerment Program Through Community Engagement in Ecotourism and Conservation at CENTEXS Lundu on Saturday.
Billy noted that the planned development of homestays in identified high-potential areas represents one of the key initiatives to enable direct community participation in the tourism industry.
However, he emphasised that such opportunities must be backed by training and upskilling programs for locals — particularly the youth — in tourism management, mountain guiding, and first aid to ensure visitor safety.
He also encouraged active collaboration among communities, government agencies, and relevant authorities to identify the unique potential of each village and formulate development programs tailored to local needs.
In driving the sector's growth, Billy stressed that environmental conservation must remain a top priority to ensure tourism activities do not compromise forest sustainability or biodiversity.
According to him, local communities play a vital role in protecting these natural assets, including reporting activities that threaten forest reserves to the authorities.
“Forest conservation is our collective responsibility,” he said, underscoring the importance of safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
Also present were Lundu District Officer Zulkarnain Ismail, and Sarawak Forest Department representative Dr. Ahmad Ampeng. — UKASnews
