With a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare species like the stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides), whose Malaysian population can only be found in this remote area,  and a myriad of orchid species, Wang Kelian showcases the potential for nature-based tourism to thrive.

By promoting guided tours, wildlife observation, and nature-based activities, the destination can attract travellers who are keen on experiencing the natural beauty of the region.

Moreover, Wang Kelian boasts a hidden historical treasure trove waiting to be explored. The many caves and crevices around the 380 million year-old Nakawan range hold many prehistoric and historic mysteries and clues which make caving around this area an extremely riveting endeavour.

Stumped-tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides) that can only be found in Wang Kelian. Photo by Amir Isqandar.

From photography to advocacy

With a strong passion for wildlife photography and environmental advocacy, Peter Ong plays diverse roles, from photographing and documenting all of Malaysia’s 26 primate species – many of which are data deficient, to developing other projects to help promote economic empowerment of local communities living in or near forests to encourage them to become better stewards of the environment. 

The man behind the lens, wildlife photographer and environmental advocate, Peter Ong. Photo by Peter Ong.

Currently, Peter is spearheading a project titled Wang Kelian – The Forgotten Valley which is a short documentary and a book that records the biodiversity and cultural heritage of one of the most biodiverse areas of Peninsular Malaysia. He is also in collaboration with The Datai Langkawi in publishing a book on the 12 species of primates for the hotel’s 30th anniversary.

He shares his top tips for effective destination management:

1. Equitable income generation and employment opportunities

While natural and cultural heritage are assets that can draw in tourists, having these in place does not guarantee inclusive and equitable income generation for the local communities.

In an article published by the Penang Institute, analyst Dr Negin Vaghefi recommends the formation of public-private partnerships to ensure locals get to benefit from the economic returns generated by ecotourism. The coming together of both public and private sectors ensures that the tourism industry develops in a robust manner, and at the same time, does not encounter stumbling blocks in regulations and access to resources along the way. 

Peter hopes that more Malaysians and international travellers would get to know the wonders of Wang Kelian through the documentation efforts he has been involved in.. In turn, this creates a stable revenue stream for local businesses and governments, if managed sustainably!

2. Careful planning and regulation over travellers

While there are benefits to having an area be open to travellers, overtourism could potentially be detrimental to the site.

“The lack of careful planning and regulation can result in over-tourism where an excessive number of visitors overwhelms a destination’s resources and infrastructure. This can and will lead to environmental degradation, strained local amenities, and an erosion of cultural authenticity. Therefore, we need to know who we have to engage and collaborate with. It requires strategic planning to pinpoint the key stakeholders.”
– Peter Ong

Consulting multiple stakeholders to develop strategies and tools to manage overtourism is key. Establishing environmental indicators, capacity control, code of conduct, and tourism zoning are just a few ways of safeguarding a site’s integrity.

A once overlooked area, Wang Kelian is now recognised for its rich biodiversity and untapped historical heritage. Photo by Amir Isqandar.

3. Proper stakeholder collaboration

Engaging with various stakeholders such as government bodies, local communities, tourism business, and environmental organisations in the decision-making process ensures their interests and concerns are heard and taken into consideration.

During his photography work in Perlis, Peter shares his experience of collaborating with the relevant stakeholders being a slow process, but worth the effort and time if it meant to make a great impact on the local communities for the protection of wildlife and the environment. Meeting with several stakeholders from the Perlis state government, non-governmental organisation, and local communities of Wang Kelian and Kaki Bukit, was tedious work for a small team.

While laying down the foundation work with the local communities was a challenge. Peter shares that the process of engaging with the locals and non-governmental organisations was a slow burn to start off, as the locals were not entirely open or used to having outsiders coming in. However, over time and dedication, Peter and his team have fostered worthwhile collaborations with the locals to instil a sense of ownership over their natural and cultural assets.

“Laying down the foundation for any project is not easy and it’s not glamorous work if you ask me. It does in fact get frustrating from time to time, and sometimes you feel like you’re hitting a brick wall. But, keep going because it is necessary and it will pay off.”
– Peter Ong

4. Capacity building and training within the local community

Supporting the learning and facilitating skill growth of the local community is essential towards ensuring that they are equipped to provide quality services to tourists.

Ah Long, a local guide who takes you on an immersive tour through Gua Kelam. Photo by Amir Isqandar.

This involves educating local communities about the benefits of sustainable tourism and continuously encouraging them to actively participate in preserving their natural and cultural assets.

Peter strongly believes that capacity building is and should be an ongoing process with the people of Wang Kelian and it does not have to be an official sit-down session, but can come in the form of small actions, through casual interactions.

For instance, Peter shares his experience of bringing Ah Long, a local caving guide to attend and participate in the screening of the Wang Kelian documentary in Kuala Lumpur. During their time there, Ah Long was able to meet with the locals of Kuala Lumpur which in turn inspired him to come up with alternative approaches that could potentially benefit his business  in Wang Kelian.

“This [interaction at the screening] is a form of capacity building. It may be small, but for them it could make a huge impact. When you engage and involve the local communities and when you show them their capabilities, it builds a sense of ownership over their work and it inspires and motivates them to stay committed to the development of their land.”
– Peter Ong

5. Striking a delicate balance between economic development and environmental preservation

There is an evident challenge in maintaining a sense of authenticity while catering to the needs of visitors. Although it is necessary to improve on infrastructure such as accommodation facilities and transportation networks, it must be implemented thoughtfully to accommodate tourists without causing any harm to the culture, natural heritage, and the ecological biodiversity of the region.

Peter cites  Mulu National Park, Sarawak and Gombe National Park, Tanzania as places that have demonstrated meeting the needs of the tourists, whilst ensuring that there is a sensible balance between economic development and environmental preservation. He hopes that Wang Kelian finds a balance in its developments as well.

“There must be some regulation in Wang Kelian. It can either be limiting the number of people coming in, or charging them a reasonable fee. What still remains as a big challenge is that many travellers still don’t understand that when they pay a fee to enter an area, that money is used to ensure that the area is maintained well and protected. However, we cannot blame them, therefore it falls onto us (conservationists) to make a difference.”
– Peter Ong

Wang Kelian’s journey towards establishing sustainable tourism is not without its unique set of challenges, especially in maintaining the delicate equilibrium between growth and conservation. Through collaborative efforts, proper planning, and community involvement, Wang Kelian has the potential to become a shining example of successful destination management that benefits both visitors and the local population.

Find out more about Wang Kelian here

Writer: Rebecca Anne Chin (The Habitat Foundation)
Contributor: Peter Ong (Roots & Shoots Malaysia)