‘We can all be stewards of our community and environment’

“I pursued biology as my major when I did my degree course in university. During field work, I had an epiphany while observing wild gibbons calling on a huge tree at dawn - I would promote nature and nature conservation and live free like the gibbons! My thinking was very idealistic, considering that eco-tourism was in its infancy, but I decided to go for it and enrolled in a guiding course to get my green badge under the Ministry of Tourism.

At the course, I met the person who set me on this eco-tourism journey. Ahha was a Semai man from Ulu Geroh, a quaint orang asli village in Perak. He could only write and read very little - a facilitator had to read for him the exam papers - but he passed the licence course. His fantastic attitude was an inspiration to the rest of us.

Visiting his village soon after, I understood why Ahha was so driven. He was one of the earliest who saw the link between tourism, community and environment conservation. It was his kampung (village) where the biggest flower, the biggest butterfly were thriving. He understood how tourism, done right, can play a role in keeping away loggers and other threats to their way of life, and improve their living standards. 

My heart broke when Ahha died suddenly in 2009. But his spirit lingers on to inspire me to continue promoting a love for the environment.

How can we as tour guides make sustainable conscious choices? We can make a difference, starting with choosing the locations where we send our customers. I’ve stopped promoting destinations where there is over-tourism because it can negatively impact the natural environment, and encourage my customers to choose lesser known but more pristine destinations run by individuals who are mindful about not polluting the area, such as Ulu Geroh. Using local guides and patronising locally-owned restaurants and accommodation will keep the profit in the community.

Travelling today is no longer about sightseeing, but life experiencing. I tell my customers to leave their way of living at home, and observe and experience the local culture way of living. The villagers I’ve met are great teachers. From ingenious animal traps to beautiful houses – you’ll be amazed how they can create things using common sense and the simplest materials in the jungle. They have an intuitive understanding and deep appreciation of nature and conservation ethics, something I hope to instill in my guests."

Read more about SEMAI and Ulu Geroh

Meet Insan from SEMAI