Upstream of Kinta River Basin is the main water catchment resource to the residents of Ipoh and surrounding areas as well as a part of the Central Forest Spine (CFS) initiative. It is now threatened with land erosion, land development, improper sewage treatment and irresponsible waste discharges. 

Recognising these problems, a collaborative project initiated by Global Environment Centre (GEC) and in partnership with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Malaysia and Perak is developed. The project aims to conserve and preserve the habitats of forest and river at upstream of Kinta River Basin to protect the ecosystem and secure water resources. 

This project works through smart partnerships between relevant key government agencies. Stakeholders especially Orang Asli and local communities (residents of Ipoh Town and adjacent areas) will be empowered for forest and water resources protection and monitoring.

Duration: 2018 - 2021

Funder: Yayasan Hasanah

Partners: Ipoh City Council, Perak State Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Perak State Department of National Unity and Integration, Perak State Department of Forestry, Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) and Perak Water Board.

Aim/objective:

The main goal is to conserve the forests and riverine habitats in the Upper Kinta River Basin to support the Central Forest Spine (CFS) initiative through cross-sector partnership and community empowerment. 

The project aims to achieve its goal through two objectives, which are:

• To develop and adopt a strategy for forest and water resource management of the upper Kinta basin; and
• To establish communities engagement to address issues regarding forest management and river protection

Key Project Outcomes:

• UKB Environmental Assessment Report (UKB EAR)
  • Successfully carried out diagnostic assessment of UKB and documented in UKB Environmental Assessment Report (UKB EAR).  
  • The UKB EAR was handed to YB Dr. Abdul Aziz Bari, EXCO of Education, Science, Environment, Green Technology and Information of Perak State.
  • Presented in trainings and workshops involving stakeholders and targeted groups
• Upper Kinta Basin Management Strategy (UKBMas) 
  • UKBMas was successfully developed and finalised as well as submitted to government agencies in series of meetings as well as consultations and discussions.
• Community training
  • Organised training with the local communities on community forest patrolling and ecotourism guide. The training empowered the Orang Asli community on the concept of eco-tourism as part of alternative livelihood as well as forest monitoring initiatives.
• Community nursery
  • Established community nursery at Kampung Makmur and river monitoring activities. The community nursery has been upgraded and currently provide tree saplings for various tree planting programmes.
• Recycling corner
  • KRT Taman Tasek Jaya successfully established a recycling corner and mini eco-park in January 2020. These initiatives encourage residents at Taman Tasek Jaya to start segregate their wastes especially recyclable materials as well as a demo for best management practices. Find out more. 

For more infomation on the project, please contact outreach@gec.org.my .