Preserving the uniqueness cultural landscape in Setiu Wetlands

Abstract

Landscapes change because of the dynamic interaction between natural and cultural forces in the environment. Cultural landscapes are the result of consecutive reorganization of the land in order to adapt its use and spatial structure better to the changing societal demands. Community demand for new roles in the rural landscape rapidly has been growing, thus every single valuable landscape that was existed thousands of years was lost or altered in the era of modern development. Protection of cultural landscape has an interaction between humans and nature over time which reflects the true character of a community life. At the same time, the attention was given to protect the biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. The cultural landscape maintains the historic features and protects the cultural and social values as aspirations. Setiu Wetlands is one of the wetland areas in Malaysia that rich with several natural resources. Setiu lagoon is brackish water lagoons with the longest distance lagoon in Peninsular Malaysia with 22 kilometers consist of numerous habitats which are important to the ecosystem. Most of the community here live and work as fishermen and this is how the cultural landscape in Setiu Wetlands was formed. Most of the fishing villagers greatly rely on marine resources as their main income and they even maintain existing resources as a main cultural landscape in this region without damaging these resources including lagoon, river and sea. During the monsoon season, most of fishermen are not able to go to the sea; nonetheless they will spend their time to develop their skills by doing weave mats or basket as handicraft products. However, development pressures urbanization and industrialization causes the lives of rural communities are threatened. The entry of these aspects brings new values as threats to the identity of rural community. This study will be conducted to understand the meaning of the cultural landscape, uniqueness and cultural landscape features that affect the formation of village identity in Setiu and the potential of preserving unique culture landscape in Setiu Wetlands by using Category V as tools to preserve this area as a protected area. Furthermore, case studies will be reviewed to recognize the comprehensive approach that is to retain their landscape cultural identity to the present. At the end of the study, the preservation and conservation of cultural landscape will be implemented by using legal protection category V. This protection area will have cooperation from all parties including the private sector, local authorities, and communities. Hence, the next generation will be able to savor and appreciate as a result of protecting this culture.