By : SHALINA R
RIVERS are central to many
environmental issues. They provide habitat, nourishment, means of
transportation and many great cities around the world have sprouted alongside
rivers, big and small.
Replying to a question from
Datuk Liew Teck Chan (SAPP-Likas) at the State Assembly, Datuk Masidi Manjun,
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment told the Dewan that the State
Government has always been aware of the immense importance of rivers, and has
taken many steps to preserve them.
He said, “Through various
departments and agencies, the government, has long tried and will continue to
try various ways for the care and preservation of the rivers in Sabah. They
include carrying out specific studies to identify sources of pollution and to
deal with it through the implementation of various specific action plans.”
He added, “In terms of
enforcement, the government, through the Department of Environment (DOE) has
enforced the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the regulations thereunder to
ensure that factories such as palm oil mills, rubber factories and other waste-producing establishments can only be
set up with approved EIA report, and, once established, are strictly monitored
to ensure compliance with the conditions that have been set.”
Masidi said there have been
many cases of non-compliance. "As of October this year, a total of 219
compounds have been issued for environmental violations," he told the
Dewan.
The water quality of 36 river
basins in Sabah is being monitored by 115 monitoring stations. This is to
ensure that if any water contamination occurs, it will not endanger the public
and tourists that are visiting Sabah.
This monitoring program is
carried out by Alam Sekitar Malaysia (ASMA) Sdn Bhd. Major river basins are
under constant surveillance. Amongst
them are the Kinabatangan, Segama, Muanad, Kalumpang, Padas, Moyog and Inanam
River.
Masidi also added that
various awareness and environmental education programs are carried out to ensure that people understand
and take responsibility for the care and cleanliness of their rivers.
He mentioned activities like
the Satu Negeri Satu Sungai Program, Cintai Sungai Program, Environmental
Awareness Camp as some of the steps taken principally to educate the public
about river preservation, and to inspire them to love their rivers. (Insight
Sabah)
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