06 Jan Blundering Towards Oblivion

With the catastrophic flooding and landslides in the east coast states still at the forefront of our minds, it’s a good time to revisit the seminal book by Lye Tuck-Po: Changing Pathways: Forest Degradation and the Batek of Pahang (SIRD). She is one of the most important experts on the lives of the Batek and other forest-dwelling indigenous communities, not just of Malaysia but elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Her focus on forest management and politics, climate change adaptations and sustainable forms of agriculture is absolutely essential if we are to find long-term solutions to these disasters – and not least for the most vulnerable communities.