TAPAH, Nov 16: The redevelopment of Taman Eko-Rimba Lata Kinjang near here has provided sustainable economic opportunities to the villagers of Kampung Orang Asli Lata Kinjang and has also brought spillover effects to five other surrounding villages.
Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan said numerous types of infrastructure were developed last year with an allocation of RM2.1 million to ensure the safety and comfort of visitors to the park.
“They include a suspension bridge, a three-kilometre hiking trail, 10 accommodation tubes, and camping sites, with the most unique feature being disabled-friendly facilities.
“The redevelopment of Taman Eko-Rimba Lata Kinjang is not only meant to attract more tourists but it is also to improve the local people’s standard of living through business,” he said while accompanying 40 delegates during the Northern Zone Malaysia 2023 Sustainable Development Goals Summit at the park, here Wednesday.
Mohamad Haris said as a result of NCIA’s strategic development plans, Taman Eko-Rimba Lata Kinjang with its natural beauty and waterfall (among the tallest in Southeast Asia), has received more than 10,000 visitors since its reopening in 2022.
He said NCIA is also guiding villagers in the area to form Koperasi Orang Asli Lata Kinjang Berhad (KOALB) to manage the park in a more systematic manner and generate sustainable income.
He said KOALB was formed in July last year and has 71 members from Kampung Orang Asli Lata Kinjang and 24 permanent Orang Asli staff to manage the tourist centre which is located in Chenderiang.
“We have provided training and guidance to the cooperative to sustainably manage the tourist centre. The increase in visitors has helped the growth of small businesses around the Lata Kinjang area as well.
“On the whole, the redevelopment of Taman Eko-Rimba Lata Kinjang has given a new lease of life to the more than 1,500 Orang Asli residents in the area,” he disclosed.
He said Taman Eko-Rimba Lata Kinjang also provided opportunities to the Kampung Orang Asli Lata Kinjang’s Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) to earn additional income by allowing them to manage the park’s public toilets.
As such, the tourist centre has provided the Orang Asli community with three streams of income, namely dividends from the cooperative, employment, and business, said Mohamad Haris.
He said that NCIA and KOALB have also come up with new development plans for additional infrastructure and tourist packages to attract more visitors.
“The new plans cover five tube accommodations with toilets, camping sites by the riverbank, Orang Asli cultural village, training packages, and kiosks to sell Orang Asli products.
“An Orang Asli Interpretation Centre will also be established to help tourists learn more about the community’s culture through digital delivery,” he said.
— BERNAM