The commitment shown by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) in helping state governments deal with environmental issues should be welcomed to ensure that it can be realised successfully. Solid support is not only needed from state governments, but also from various parties including non-governmental organisations and all members of the community at various levels.
According to the Minister of NRECC, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad when officiating the 2023 Alam Kita Carnival in Kota Bharu last May, his ministry is committed to solving various issues including flood disaster management, forestry, and the environment, dealing with wildlife conflicts with humans and water resources management.
At the carnival, he also gave assurance that the Federal Government’s commitment with the State Government would continue to be enhanced through several initiatives that would be announced. The NRECC is committed to carrying out projects related to flood mitigation and environmentally friendly drainage to reduce the risk of flooding in Kelantan and Terengganu.
Among the critical issues dealt by the ministry that are close to the daily life of the community is the management and sustainability of clean water supply. In this context, appropriate measures need to be taken to ensure sustainable management of water resources in guaranteeing a continuous supply of clean water that can be distributed to the community.
The first step that can be taken is to carry out a thorough research and study on the available water resources covering their distribution and capacity compared to user demand, the properties of the available water resources whether permanent or seasonal, besides conducting an environmental impact assessment study if a certain resource water place is slated to be developed especially commercially. The study of hydrological elements from the beginning is important in ensuring that the water supply capacity will continue for a long period of time so that the problem of supply interruption is not burdened by users. For example, the study of rainfall in an area, input and river flow rate, underground water storage, topography, and other related aspects should be conducted.
Secondly, the implementation and empowerment of laws to control the use of water resources and prevent water pollution is also important, which include laws to prevent industries or users that pollute water resources, especially rivers. Laws maintaining catchment areas and creating buffer zones are also necessary to ensure continuous groundwater storage for rivers and dams. In addition, industries built near water resources such as rivers must control the discharge of toxic waste. For example, nearly 500 industries were built along the Gombak and Klang rivers and some of them were found to use the river as a discharge channel for their effluent. Therefore, strict action must be taken such as imposing heavy fines, imprisonment, withdrawing operating licenses and charging water treatment to the factories involved.
Next, treating polluted water resources are necessary, especially river and lake water resources, besides implementing a water recycling programme that has been used. This step can be implemented through a joint venture between the government and the private sector. Water resources that have been polluted must be treated to make the water clean again, for example Sungai Klang has undergone a treatment process. Providing garbage traps in the river is also one of the good steps to reduce the amount of solid pollution. In addition, water that has been used by industry and domestic can also be recycled for various other purposes so that it is not simply wasted.
The last step is to develop alternative water resources. Potential water resources such as underground water, lake or reservoir water, ponds whether natural or man-made including rainwater can be developed as alternative water resources.
Issues related to the management and conservation of water resources are very important to pay attention to in order to ensure that the supply of clean water resources is always available to meet the daily needs of human life. There is no easy way to maintain the sustainability of the country’s water resources except by sticking to the principle of “we only borrow” from future generations. Therefore, when we only borrow, then what is borrowed must be returned in a good and perfect condition without any defects.
In addition to issues related to water resources management, various measures can also be taken to overcome other current environmental issues that arise. For example, the national development plan must be environmentally friendly and the environmental assessment aspect must be a priority. Not only that, deforestation also needs to be replaced by reforestation, and habitat conservation needs to be done no matter what.
Indeed, both the federal and state governments need to control every development activity that is to be implemented so that the sustainability of the environment is not compromised. In order to ensure that environmental conservation efforts can be achieved, Malaysia’s next plan needs to focus primarily on sustainable and green development. Likewise, environmental education should not only be focused on students, but also on all levels of society, through various periodic programmes from time to time so that the level of environmental awareness of the Malaysian community is always at the best level. While environmental awareness is an important aspect, it is also a religious demand. This is according to verse 61 of Surah Hud, which means: “He is the One Who produced you from the earth and settled you on it.”