Balancing the urban-rural development: assessment on local services and facilities for community of Royal Belum State Park

Abstract

Rural development is currently one of government’s important agenda through the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) as we are moving towards becoming a developed nation by 2020. In line with this this paper looks into rural development focusing on the provision of facilities and infrastructure for the local community in Royal Belum Forest Reserve area! The study will loo$ into the variables required to assess the readiness of the local people to accept and embrace the modern infrastructure and facilities that will eventually give them a sustainable livelihood and a better quality of life! based on initial background research on Royal Belum Forest, the researchers have anticipated several issues and problems of its local population. Among them are that the local people of Royal Belum Forest are still left behind development, lack of development towards social improvement and poor quality and limited local services and facilities provided. The significance of the study is to guide the researchers and decision-makers in the efforts to improve the livelihood of the local population by providing better local services and facilities to fulfill their everyday necessities. The aim of this study is also to contribute and facilitate and make significant social progress that addresses the needs of all stakeholders including visitors and tourists of Royal Belum Forest Complex.