Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 8(7) May 2014, Pages: 386-395 AENSI Journals Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences ISSN:1991-8178 Journal home page: www.ajbasweb.com Corresponding Author: Ramle Abdullah Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Gong Badak Campus, 21300 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia. Tel: +6019-9345586 E-mail: ramle@unisza@yahoo.com Forest Significant and Conservation among the Semaq Beri Tribe of Orang Asli in Terengganu State, Malaysia 1 Ramle Abdullah, 2 Greg Acciaioli, 3 Nur Hafizah Ramle & 4 Mohd Sukhairi Mat Rasat 1 Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Gong Badak Campus, 21300 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia. 2 School of Social Science, The University of Western Australia (M257), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia. 3 Faculty of Creative Technology and Heritage, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Bachok Campus, 16300 Bachok, Kelantan, Malaysia. 4 Faculty of Earth Science, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Jeli Campus, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Received 2 February 2014 Received in revised form 8 April 2014 Accepted 28 April 2014 Available online 25 May 2014 Keywords: Orang Asli; forest significant; forest conservation; forest exploitation and forest sustainability Background: The Orang Asli are an indigenous ethnic group found in peninsular Malaysia. It is estimated that more than 60% of them reside within outskirt and rural areas. These types of settlement areas are commonly synonymous with forest environments. The Semaq Beri tribe in Terengganu state are one of such aforementioned communities living in such environments. Their lives are largely dependent on the forests as a source of sustenance and livelihood. In other words, their lives are closely linked with forests or the biodiversity associated to it. Objective: A study had been conducted to fathom the thoughts of the Semaq Beri tribe regarding the forests based on the following questions; (i) What is the status of the forest and what are their perspectives on it, (ii) How significant are the forests in the daily lives of community members, and (iii) What is the attitude towards ensuring the sustainability of the forest. The study data were gathered through observation techniques, participation observation as well as interviews. Results: The study results showed that the Semaq Beri tribe possess their own distinctive thoughts on the forest environment and life. Among others, the forest or biodiversity is believed to be a gift from the supernatural powers and is alive, similar to humans. The forests were created by the supernatural powers for the benefit and harmony of human life, namely to provide necessities such as sustenance, livelihood, medicine as well as other various resources. Conclusion: Based on this status, the forest is often likened similar to a ‘bank’, an institution were individuals store their wealth, and which this wealth can be withdrawn whenever necessary. Based on such a perception also leads to the Semaq Beri tribe’s approach in ways of exploiting, conserving and safeguarding the sustainability of the forest so that its benefits will not only be enjoyed by the current generation, but also for generations to come. © 2014 AENSI Publisher All rights reserved. To Cite This Article: Ramle Abdullah, Greg Acciaioli, Nur Hafizah Ramle & Mohd Sukhairi Mat Rasat., Forest Significant and Conservation among the Semaq Beri Tribe of Orang Asli in Terengganu State, Malaysia. Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 8(7): 386-395, 2014 INTRODUCTION To date, Terengganu State has 980 Orang Asli residents distributed in three different villages 1 , namely Kampung Sungai Pergam in Kemaman, Kampung Sungai Berua in Hulu Terengganu and Kampung Sungai Sayap in Besut. The location of each village is shown in Figure 1. They consist of the Semaq Beri and Batek tribes. Approximately 704 individuals or 96% of them are from the Semaq Beri tribe residing in Kampung Sungai Pergam and Kampung Sungai Berua (JAKOA, 2011). Ethnographers classify the Semaq Beri as one of the tribes from the Senoi 2 group. The word ‘Semaq’ and ‘Beri’ are two seperate words. In Malay ‘Semaq’ is derived as ‘People’ while ‘Beri’ defines as ‘Jungle’; therefore Semaq Beri translates as ‘Jungle People’. Such description had been highlighted by Endicott (1975) in his writing titled ` A Brief Report on the Semaq Beri of Pahang’. In it, Endicott defined the Semaq Beri as ’Jungle People’ which translates as ‘Orang Hutan’ 3 in the Malay language. The lifestyle scenario of the Semaq Beri tribe in Terengganu state are similar to other Orang Asli communities of other states throughout Malaysia. Their traditional lifestyles are directly associated with the forests which act as the surrounding background of their settlements (Lye, 2002; Hood, 1993). Forests form the basis of their economic activities in obtaining food supplies, livelihood as well as a source of daily necessities.