Ts.Dr. Kogila Vani Annammala

WORLD RIVER’S DAY CONFERENCE

Picture: Mr.Miklin Ationg (Head,Water Resources Managememt Section, Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sabah), Dr Agnes ( Assistant Director for policy, SEARRP), myself and  SEARRP Scientists Dr. Eleanor Slade, Dr. Sarah Luke.

“The protection of “riparian reserves” – 20m on either side of rivers more than 3m wide – is a legal requirement in Sabah, which is a state regulation designed to protect water quality, water quantity and aquatic environments. With a growing interest in sustainability, the possible biodiversity co-benefits of this policy have been recognised by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sabah, including the provision of natural habitats for important species, improved landscape connectivity, and the protection of important ecosystem services such as increased carbon sequestration. However, there is currently little empirical evidence available to demonstrate that riparian reserves are effective in conserving biodiversity and ecosystems. Where research exists, these insights are often inaccessible to policy-makers and practitioners in Sabah”.-SEARRP,2017.

An article on this have also been published in SEARRP’s official website which can be viewed at :

https://www.searrp.org/2017/10/17/a-groundbreaking-collaboration-between-the-sabah-department-of-irrigation-and-drainage-leading-uk-and-malaysian-universities-university-of-oxford-university-of-kent-university-of-lancaster-univer/

The soil erosion rate is the loss of soil mass over time for a specific land area. Erosion is a natural process caused by wind, rain and moving water. Soil erosion affects farming, construction projects and homeowners living near rivers, oceans and on terrestrial slopes. Excessive erosion is often caused by human activities, such as deforestation, road construction and intensive farming. You can calculate the soil erosion rate by measuring the loss of soil mass over a specific time period.

Currently PhD Candidate Nur Atirah is working in determining the erosion rate in:Primary forest and comparing the rates from agricultural plantations : Rubber and oil Palm along with 2 final year civil engineering undergraduate students Izhar and Fahmi. I need to mention here on the dedication and hard work that these students showed during field work. I am sure they would be fine engineers soon whom is not thinking twice to get their hands dirty in field.

This is still an on going research. Herewith sharing some field pictures taken. The study/ monitoring sites are located in state of Kelantan, Malaysia. Locations included: Primary forest, recently logged forest ( picture 1) ,

Oil palm plantation ( matured and recently planted sites) and within matured rubber plantation.
It is tough field work which requires high determination and stamina and perseverance. Working under hot sun and in rugged environment. I am lucky to have a good set of field team who was/ still is very cooperative, helpful.. and we end up having fun in the field too..

had some ‘visitors’ in the field too.. observing our monitoring and measurement action ( a huge spider- which I do not know the name of he species nor if it is poisonous: but she managed to pump in some excitement and fun during the site visit/ measuring). If anyone knows the species or if its harmful pls do drop a comment below.

Thanks to the supporting team: En Wan and En Jamal. It was a very successful field visit, and thank to almighty God for ensuring we were safe throughout the journey/ adventure. We had lucrative harvest of data.. to work with.

 Water Leaders Forum 2017 (WLF 17) is a continuation of the Johor Water Sustainability Symposium 2017 which took place on August 7 and 8 2017, where local experts and agencies have been involved to formulate solutions to water issues in the State of Johor. In addition to creating an inspirational sharing and knowledge amongst the agencies involved, the symposium has succeeded in formulating a sustainable water management resolution that will serve as the basis for planning and managing resources and water industries. WLF 17 is organised by Johor Water Forum (JWF), an organization that is responsible to advise and assist the State Government in handling water issues. The first Forum organized by JWF held in 2015 has been a source of ideas for better resource management and water supply. The State of Johor has taken a positive step towards finding alternative sources of water and formulating strategies towards sustainable water resources management.

Among the principal issues raised during JWF 15 are;

1. Dramatic increase for clean water demand as a result rapid developments especially in the Iskandar Region. In addition to local requirements, the State of Johor is committed to further supplying raw water resources to Singapore and Malacca;

1. Water supply becomes more critical every time the drought occurs. Over dependency on river water will expose the state to serious water supply disruptions especially during drought;

1. Pollution levels become more serious during dry seasons because the river’s ability to dilute the contaminants becomes limited;

1. River pollution has become a major threat that limits the inadequate water resources;

1. Efforts should be made to obtain more alternative sources such as groundwater, large scale rainwater harvesting, desalination  and construction of barrage;

1. In addition to supply enhancement, the demand management approach is equally important to ensuring sustainable management. This requires changing the behaviour of users through public awareness programs, formal education at schools, imposing penalties or charges, providing incentives, and formulating appropriate policies;

1. Integrated River Basin Management should be strengthened to ensure water resources security.