The project focuses on addressing the root causes and barriers in riverine biodiversity conservation. The rapid loss of riverine biodiversity at the project sites is a major problem that needs to be tackled. The problems also range from rapid urbanization, river pollution, over extraction of natural resources and others.

Through this project, strategies and best management practices will be developed for the key stakeholders to increase their awareness and improve the status of riverine biodiversity at the sites.   

GEC is officially appointed as the implementer for a portion of Component 2 – namely Output 2.1 for Upper Kinta Basin in Perak and Output 2.2 for Upper Klang Basin in Selangor/ Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. The first phase of the project has been completed and GEC was appointed to implement the second phase in February 2021.

Duration: 2020 - 2021

Funder: Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Malaysia, Global Environment Facility (GEF) 5, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 

Aim/objective:

The overall aims of the project is to mainstream biodiversity conservation into riverine landscapes through improved river planning and management practices in Malaysia.

Phase 1

The specific objectives:

• To enhance institutional and technical capacity for riverine biodiversity conservation among key stakeholders.
• To establish pilot and demonstration sites to promote integration of riverine biodiversity conservation into river management.

Project Output:

• A training for agencies on mainstreaming biodiversity into river management was carried out on 11 November 2020 involving officers from agencies from both Klang and Kinta River Basin.
• The World River’s Day 2020 celebration was organised with DID Malaysia on the 27 September 2020. It focused on alien invasive species (AIS) in Malaysian Rivers by having an educational competition that required participants to only catch invasive fish river species and removal of invasive plant species along the riverbanks.
• A Guidebook for the Community-based Biodiversity Inventory which is based on GEC’s RIVER Ranger 2.0 Field Guide experience was developed and used for hands-on training session.
• The Upper Kinta Biodiversity study was completed and the bio-engineering project was initiated and progressing well. A bio-engineering pilot demonstration site was successfully established in Section 45.9 FT185 of Simpang Pulai Highway with key support from Orang Asli from Kg Pawong village and JKR.

Phase 2

The specific objectives are:

• To promote and empower key stakeholders on bioengineering and riverine biodiversity conservation through awareness programmes and initiaitves. 
• To expand more demonstration sites and empower Friends of Klang River Basin (FoKRB) to promote integration of riverine biodiversity conservation into river management.

Project Progress:

• Carried out awareness activities via webinars: 
  - Entitled "Community’s Role On Biodiversity” by Dr. K. Kalithasan attended by 80 participants
  - Entitled “Value of Biodiversity for River Conservation in Malaysia: Importance to Local Communities and the Environment” in partnerships with Mr. Quek Yew Aun from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA)  attended 50 participants
• Expanded the pilot sites  to cover both the midstream and downstream of Sungai Klang including Sungai Penchala and Sungai Klang downstream at Pengkalan Kampar.
• Strengthened community engagement through FoKRB. The FoKRB is a community network formed as part of the ROLPOP5 exit strategy, whereby the communities engaged under the ROLPOP5 are continued to be supported and empowered via this project. Currently, FoKRB has more than 35 community groups, with 50 registered members actively implementing various initiatives such as community garden, recycling and localised initiatives within their available resources.

For any inquiries on the project, please contact outreach@gec.org.my .