FINAL VERSION FOR APPROVAL - Sdn Bhd - WWF Malaysia

Gunung Stong State Park Preliminary Management Plan
For the Kuala Krai district (of which GSSP is within the sub-district of Kuala Krai Selatan),
the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector is the major contributor to the economy,
contributing 33.8% in 1995 to the local economy (compared to 13.9% for Kelantan and 7% to
the national economy) (JPBD, 1998). The contribution of this sector as a proportion to the
GDP declined from 63.1% in 1980 to 33.8% in 1995 (JPBD, 1998). The second highest
contributor is government services, accounting for 28.4% of the State’s economy in 1995,
compared to 11.2% in 1980, with a 400% growth in monetary values, from RM10.9 million in
1980 to RM44.9 million in 1990. The third major contributor is manufacturing, responsible
for 12 % of the GDP in 1995, as against 10% in 1980 (JPBD, 1996).
The sectoral shift is reflected in the employment statistics, with a decline in agricultural sector
employment, from 72.9% (1980) to 54% (1995), while there was a corresponding increase in
manufacturing sector employment, from 5.7 % (1980) to 12.5% (1995) (JPBD, 1996).
However, though there is lack of data specific to the GSSP study area (Dabong-Jelawang-
Kuala Balah), we estimate that the contribution of agriculture, animal husbandry, logging and
fisheries sector is about 50-60%, (which is higher than for the district, at 33.8%). The second
highest contributor is likely to be from the government services sector, comprising education,
health and social services (30-40%), and tourism (20-30%). A study on the contribution of
tourism on the socio-economy of the study area will provide fresh insights on the consumer
behavior of the visitors, and their expectations, and will greatly help in tourism planning.
Average monthly household incomes in the Kuala Krai district is RM729, with additional per
household income of RM212 per month. Nevertheless, KESEDAR scheme settlers are better
off, with average monthly incomes of RM1,000-RM1,400, while those from traditional
villages earn much less, i.e. RM350-RM750 per month (JPBD, 1996). However, it must be
cautioned that rural households typically understate their earnings in the hope of obtaining
subsidies and aid from KESEDAR and other agencies (pers. comm., En. Mohamad bin Husin,
KESEDAR, 2005).
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