Purpose

Globally, several studies have shown that biosphere reserves faced severe threats related to climate and human changes. Community participation in environmental sustainability may mitigate these threats in biosphere reserve destinations. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the community perceptions regarding the proposed Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve with the support of Community Readiness Theory to the framework via qualitative research.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this, 13 face-to-face interviews were conducted that covered major communities within the hill and validated via secondary sources. Phenomenological type of qualitative research and a combination of purposeful and snowball type of non-probability sampling techniques were used.

Findings

This paper found that Penang Hill Corporation does collaborate with communities around the hill in matters connected with hill conservation.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to investigating community perceptions regarding the proposed Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve. Future research is needed to further investigate the framework and the supporting theory (Community Readiness Theory).

Practical implications

This paper recommended that Penang Hill Corporation should build more effective communication capacity for the communities around the hill via coordinated synergy within the various agencies and communities. Also, the act that established the corporation should be reviewed to capture the provision of liaison offices for agencies controlling various sections of the hill.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates that positive community engagement will enhance environmental sustainability and possibly facilitate recognition by UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme.

中文翻译：

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社区参与环境可持续性：马来西亚槟城山生物圈保护区的案例研究

目的

在全球范围内，多项研究表明，生物圈保护区面临与气候和人类变化相关的严重威胁。社区参与环境可持续性可以减轻生物圈保护区目的地的这些威胁。因此，本文旨在通过定性研究，在社区准备理论的支持下，研究社区对拟议的槟城山生物圈保护区的看法。

设计/方法/方法

为实现这一目标，进行了 13 次面对面访谈，这些访谈涵盖了山丘内的主要社区，并通过二手资料进行了验证。使用了现象学类型的定性研究和有目的的和滚雪球类型的非概率抽样技术相结合。

发现

本文发现槟城山公司确实在与山丘保护相关的事务上与山丘周围的社区合作。

研究限制/影响

本文仅限于调查社区对拟议的槟城山生物圈保护区的看法。未来的研究需要进一步研究框架和支持理论（社区准备理论）。

实际影响

本文建议槟城山公司通过各机构和社区之间的协调协同，为山上的社区建立更有效的沟通能力。此外，应审查成立公司的法案，以了解为控制山丘各个部分的机构提供联络处的情况。

原创性/价值

本文表明，积极的社区参与将增强环境可持续性，并可能促进教科文组织人与生物圈保护区计划的认可。