Book to raise awareness on river conservation
Kota Kinabalu: WWF-Malaysia launched a coffee table book entitled “When The Water Whispers”, in conjunction with World Water Day, here, Friday.
According to WWF Executive Director/CEO Dato’ Dr Dionysius Sharma, the initiative is in line with the “Together Possible” motto, where WWF-Malaysia strives to work in unity with people to achieve lasting conservation solutions.
“Everyone uses and needs water; therefore water is and should be everyone’s business. WWF-Malaysia calls for a collective effort as everybody is accountable for the planet,” he said, adding it is their hope that the book and the photographs will start conversation for a better future for the State’s waterways.
“Changing perception on clean water and its better use requires a collective effort.
So, this WaterVoice Programme is our effort to involve civil society outreach in order to raise awareness, knowledge and capacity in river conservation that will motivate them to take actions.
“Wise use of water starts from home. By the same token, industry needs to play a major role to ensure that wastewater is treated before being discharged into the waterways. Government agencies need to enhance enforcement of the rules and regulations relating to the environment.
“Besides taking action on our part, we must also adopt a sense of urgency towards climate change.
Flash floods and prolonged droughts have already become the norm.
“And worse is yet to come with the impacts of rising temperature and extreme weather events.
“These changes will also affect water quality to the detriment of the aquatic ecosystem.
This is how the book provides the story on why water conservation must be addressed at the watershed level.”
WWF-Malaysia believes that engaging the participation of civil society is vital in conserving freshwater systems from an integrated watershed management perspective.
The book is part of a three-year project by WWF-Malaysia aimed at creating awareness among civil society on the importance of clean water.
It is one of the initiatives completed by the WWF-Malaysia Sabah Terrestrial Conservation Programme (STCP) Freshwater Team, with the support of HSBC Malaysia.
The 64-page book is a culmination of a year’s collection of photographs by Universiti Malaysia Sabah students and the community of the Upper Sugut, Ranau through a programme called WaterVoice.
The book launching was witnessed by HSBC Area Director of Malaysia, Ong Eng Mun, and Department of Drainage and Irrigation Sabah, Water Resources Management Department Assistant Directors Miklin Ationg and Prisca Thomas together with City Hall Innovation and Research Department Director Mas Farisan Salleh.
According to the Malaysia Second National Communication to the United Nation Framework of Convention and Climate Change (UNFCCC), it is forecast that rainfall in Sabah will increase by 6-11 per cent by 2050 coupled with extreme weather patterns and frequency.
Due to global warming, Malaysia has been witnessing more intense drier months corresponding with heavier rainfalls, resulting in floods and droughts over the past 10 years.
The year 2017 marks the 45th anniversary of WWF-Malaysia’s existence in Malaysia in stopping the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. – Neil Chan
Source: Daily Express
