The importance of Ulu Sat Forest Reserve to socio-economic activity of local community

Abstract

Kelantan state has rich natural landscapes and interesting geological features, which has excellent potential to be developed. Ulu Sat Forest Reserve is one of the important forest reserves that available in Kelantan. It functions as a water catchment area make it very significant to the local community nearby. The study’s aim is to explore the significance of Ulu Sat Forest Reserve to socio-economic of local community. The qualitative approach was executed via focus group discussion and in-depth interview technique with the leader and local communities. This study has found out that Ulu Sat Forest Reserve has played a significant role in the local community livelihood in the context of income resources, traditional medicine resources, water resources, and a preferable recreational place for family. Besides that, this article also discussed a brief background of the local community living near the Ulu Sat Forest Reserve. Discussion on the local community’s demographic is essential to understand their socio-economic activities related to Ulu Sat Forest Reserve. This study indicates that the local community is still dependent on the forest reserve ecosystem and services in their livelihood. The disturbance of the Ulu Sat Forest Reserve ecosystem will cause an indirect negative impact on the tranquillity of the local community.