PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

The indigenous people, or Orang Asli, have a prominent role to play in efforts to sustain the management of forest resources in Malaysia. Their direct use of and close association with the forests for generations have made them important for consideration when formulating and implementing forestry policies. Unlike that of other forest reserves, surrounding development has influenced the size of the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve (AHFR). In fact, not only has the size of the forest reserve been affected, but also continuous rigorous socio-economic development has resulted in the resettlement of one of the Temuan communities from Kg. Sg. Rasau Hulu to Taman Orang Asli Saujana Puchong. Two Temuan ethnic subgroup communities, namely those currently living in Kg. Sg. Rasau Hilir and Taman Orang Asli Saujana Puchong, are located less than 3 km away from AHFR. The two Temuan ethnic subgroup communities also are believed to have occupied the AHFR for the last 400 years. With increasing pressure for further development of this prime forest reserve, the need is crucial to evaluate not only the goods and services but also the Orang Asli as direct users of forest resources.