The present study focuses on the Model Forest Management Area (MFMA) and surrounding lands in the Muput area southwest of Bintulu in the Bintulu Division, Sarawak (see Figure 9.1). The MFMA was jointly established by the Sarawak Forest Department and the International Tropical Timber Organisation in 1996 following the report of a mission to Sarawak in 1989/90 which suggested the introduction of more-sustainable forest management (ITTO 1990). Physical and socio-economic studies of local communities in the area were carried out before its establishment (Sidu 1995). The MFMA supports training, demonstration and research on sustainable hill-forest management, and the sustainable logging methods practised include improved planning of roads and skid trails, and extra care for the residual stand when felling and removing trees. The logging operation is run by several companies, the closest to the two communities studied in this chapter being Zedtee, which has its local headquarters at Sekawi Camp (see Figure 9.1).

Some 40 Iban longhouses are located in and around the MFMA, and this study takes as its point of departure two of these — Rumah Agau and Rumah Chili (see Figure 9.1). These Iban settlements have been present in the area since the early 20th century, while logging has been carried out since 1976. The longhouse inhabitants hold their land under Native Customary Rights, whereas the area within the MFMA is designated as part of the Permanent Forest Estate (Sidu 1995).

Data were collected between June and September 1999. A structured questionnaire survey was carried out covering all permanent-resident households in the longhouses — 17 households in Rumah Agau and 14 households in Rumah Chili. The topics addressed were household composition, wealth, farming practices and off-farm activities. Semi-structured in-depth interviews focusing on farming strategies and perceptions of logging were carried out with five households in Rumah Agau and four in Rumah Chili. Finally, four focus group interviews were carried out in each community covering the following topics: forest products, off-farm labour, land tenure, and perceptions of logging.

Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted among employees in the logging operation. These interviews included management staff as well as labourers, and were carried out within the logging camp and in the blocks logged at the time of study. Finally, structured interviews with government officers at different levels in the Forest Department were carried out. Follow-up interviews were conducted with several of these officers when needed.