LAUSR

ABSTRACT Loss of urban greeneries in rapidly developing Kuala Lumpur has prompted urban residents to conserve the remnant urban forests as urban community forests. This study was carried out at Kota Damansara Community Forest Reserve (KDCFR) and examined i) how urban residents in partnership with forestry department sustainably manage this forest reserve, ii) visitors’ uses of KDCFR, and iii) their willingness toward conservation. Following the idea of peoples’ perception on the use and management of forests, data were collected through an online survey and physical interviews by administering a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Current management of KDCFR includes forest trails maintenance, forest protection, and community outreach activities. To 97% respondents, forest and trails had been managed and protected well, and some (18–29%) reported negative impacts of trails on forest. Visitors visited KDCFR few days in a month for coming close to the nature and forest walk (51%), recreation (42%), health benefits (33%), stress reduction (30%), cycling (29%) and meeting friends (21%). To 69% respondents, they were highly satisfied with the visit to KDCFR. Community management of KDCFR had brought positive attitude in visitors, and 94% of them were willing to contribute toward conservation through trail management, forest protection and donation.