Science, Technology and Innovation
in River Ecosystem Protection
Mazlin Bin Mokhtar1,2, Rahmah Elfithri1 & Lee Khai Ern1
1Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI)
2Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA (UKM)
43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Introduction: River Ecosystem Protection
 Rivers are a key part of our landscape. In their natural form they are a source
of beauty.
 They provide us with places of recreation and they host a great variety of
fascinating freshwater plants and animals.
 However, natural river landscapes are under threat from pollution and changes
in land use.
 Yet most rivers are within watersheds that are stressed to some extent by
human activities including development, dams, or extractive uses.
 Climate change will add to and magnify risks that are already present through
its potential to alter rainfall, temperature, runoff patterns, and to disrupt
biological communities and sever ecological linkages.
 In addition, all over the world rivers are straightened, embanked and backed-u
p.
 As a result diverse river systems become homogeneous, wetlands disappear
and water birds, fish, amphibians and other water depending organisms
become fewer or even extinct.
>> Need to protect our Natural River Ecosystem
Introduction: Ecosystem Services Approach
 The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) in 2000
 Initiated in 2001, the objective of the MA was to assess the consequences of
ecosystem change for human well-being and the scientific basis for action needed
 To enhance the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems and their
contribution to human well-being
 Ecosystem services - provide clean water, food, forest products, flood control, and
natural resources and the options to restore, conserve or enhance the sustainable
use of ecosystems.
 The assessment’s findings—that nearly two thirds of ecosystem services assessed
were degraded.
Examined the consequences of ecosystem change for
human well-being
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
CONSTITUENTS OF WELL-BEING
Provisioning
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Supporting
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Nutrient Cycling
Soil Formation
Primary Productio
n
Other
Food
Fresh Water
Wood & Fiber
Fuel
Other
Regulating

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Climate Regulation
Flood Regulation
Disease Regulation
Water Purification
Other
Security
 Personel safety
 Secure Resources
Access
 Security from
Disasters
Basic material for
good life
 Adequate Livelihood
s
 Sufficient Nutritious
Food
 Shelter
 Access To Goods
Health
Cultural




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Aesthetic
Spiritual
Educational
Recreational
Other
LIFE ON EARTH - BIODIVERSITY
 Strength
 Feeling Well
 Access to Clean Air
and Water
Good Social Relat
ions
 Social Cohesion
 Mutual Respect
 Ability to Help
Others
Freedom of
Choice and
Action
Opportunity to be
Able to Achieve Wha
t and Individual
Values Doing and
Being
Science and Technology
inter-disciplinary & trans-disciplinary
Toshio Koike, 2015
Water Cycle Integrator
Toshio Koike, 2015
Water is a Key
bridging between climate processes and societal benefits
Access of rural communities to water
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Woody biomass plantations have high demand for water
May draw tremendous amount of water from soil leading to substantial declines in
local ground-water levels
Use of pesticides and herbicides that would contaminate the local water sources
Water rights of local communities have limited protection, leading water insecurity
during drought period
Good Example of Community-based Watershed Management for Sustainable Use
of Renewable Energy att Kampung Mudung Abun, Belaga District in Sarawak, Led
by Indigenous Peoples Institute Malaysia Sarawak (IPIMAS).
Abun River catchment area is crucial water source for micro hydro project (20kW)
The micro hydro power system is locally owned, operated and maintained by
the community for sustainable use of clean renewable electricity in the village.
Clean drinking water for remote villages in Cameron Highlands
- Collaborations between Government, Private Sector and Local
Community
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As a result of littering, overfertilization and environmental influences the raw
water sources in the Cameron Highlands are contaminated with virus and
bacteria.
Major health affecting diseases - and as a chain reaction to less productivity, less
income, less education for children and so on in remote villages of orang asli.
Started in 2010, Ministry of Rural and Regional Development developed The
Malaysian Transformation Program to provide drinking water to the inhabitants of
remote villages in Cameron Highlands.
Collaborations between Government (Ministry of Rural and Regional
Development), Private Sector (Trunz Water Systems) and Local Community
(Cameron Highlands Villagers).
Implementation of decentralised clean technology which works under harsh
conditions and provides a long-term and sustainable solution.
Community water and pumping station was built in 22 villages and each station
provides 15000 liter per day of free drinking water.
Source: http://www.trunzwatersystems.com/
Educates the young on keeping rivers clean by Responsible Care
signatory companies and District Office through the Balok River
Adoption Programme (BRAP), Kuantan
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The BRAP was first mooted in 2007 with the objective to improve community
awareness and perception towards chemical industries in the Gebeng industrial estate.
In 2013, 7 Responsible Care signatory chemical companies co-organized and
participated together with the Kuantan District Education Office and support of Swiss
Garden Resort & Spa and TSD Printing & Supplies in the Balok River Adoption
Programme (BRAP), Kuantan.
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BASF Petronas Chemicals Sdn Bhd,
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Eastman Chemical Company,
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W.R. Grace Speciality Chemicals Sdn Bhd,
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Kaneka (M) Sdn Bhd,
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Petronas Chemicals MTBE Sdn Bhd,
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Polyplastics Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd
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RP Chemicals (M) Sdn Bhd.
Promote and educate the younger generation on the importance of keeping the rivers
clean. Through eco raft race, Balok river clean up, educational talks and exhibitions,
fish release and mangrove tree planting initiatives.
Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2013/10/30/competitio
n-educates-the-young-on-keeping-rivers-clean/
Innovative storm water technology helps to clean up Klang and
Gombak Rivers
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Hydro International's Downstream Defender® vortex separator, an advanced
stormwater technology, is helping to clean up Kuala Lumpur, a major river system in
Malaysia.
Installed at strategic locations where drains and tributaries are discharging into the
city's Klang and Gombak Rivers.
Widespread pollution prompted the Malaysian authorities to launch a project to
improve 110kms of the river into a vibrant and liveable waterfront, moving from its
current Class III – V to a Class IIb river clean enough for recreational use by the year
2020.
Proving a perfect solution to capturing the large amounts of polluted silts that run off
Kuala Lumpur's highways and for providing 'first flush' protection in intense storm
conditions.
Approved technology within the Malaysian government's Manual Saliran Mesra Alam
Malaysia (MSMA) which has placed increased emphasis in Malaysia on the need for
stormwater control at or near source, and improve run-off quality.
Source: http://www.hydro-int.com/us/products/stormwater
River of Life (ROL) Project to Revitalise the Klang River Basin
 Area – A stretch of 110km
 Goal - is to bring the river from its current Class
III – Class V water quality (not suitable for bodycontact) to Class IIb (suitable for body-contact
recreational usage) by year 2020
 Three phases
 River Cleaning ,
 River Master Planning & Beutification
 River Development
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Project time-frame:
 2011 to 2014: River cleaning
 2015 – Master Planning & Beutification.
 Targeted to complete in 2019
 It will enhance the livability and transform into
an economic and social hub.
http://www.aecom.com/Where+We+Are/Asia/_carousel/River+of+Life+project+wins+Award+of+Excellence
http://www.myrol.my/index.cfm?&menuid=21
Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) –
Flood & Traffic Congestion Solution for KL City Centre
 Kuala Lumpur `s Stormwater Management and Road
Tunnel (SMART) project is designed with a concept of
a regional flood detention pond, but at the same time
it
diverts the flood water to downstream and by-p
asses the flood prone areas in Kuala Lumpur city center
.
 9.7km long tunnel is also integrated with motorways
tunnel to reduce traffic congestion problem.
 It is a system that control the flood at source an
d at the same time preventing much sediment a
nd
gross pollutant from going downstream
during its operation and is therefore very muc
h in compliance to MSMA concept.
 SMART has been proven to be effective in
mitigating the Kuala Lumpur City center flood as
per its designed objective. Its dual purpose functi
on also reaps the benefit of transporting 35,000
vehicle per day in its traffic tunnel and helps to e
ase traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur.
http://smarttunnel.com.my/
Technology to Treat Dirty Water from Wet Markets
- Part of ROL
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Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) installed new wastewater treatment plants
(WWTP) installed as part of the River of Life programme, which aims to clean
a 110km stretch of the Klang and Gombak rivers.
The plants built and are operating at the Pasar Harian Selayang, Pasar Jalan
Klang Lama, Pasar Air Panas, Pasar Sentul and Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur, a
nd significantly improved the water standard there.
The plants, which adapted the Korean technology of Membrane Bio Reactor
are able to reduce the contamination level in water from the wet markets tha
t is directed into the rivers.
Plant to treat contaminated water from the wet markets to Class IIB level,
where the quality of water is safe to be touched and can support marine life
Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/citynews/greater-kl/article/more-wet-markets-to-get-treat
ment-plants-for-better-water-quality/more-wet-markets-to-get-treatment-plants-for-better-water-qualit
Treatment alternatives of slaughterhouse wastes,
and their effect on the inactivation of different pathogens
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Slaughterhouse wastes are a potential reservoir of bacterial, viral, prion and parasitic
pathogens, capable of infecting both animals and humans.
A quick, cost effective and safe disposal method is thus essential in order to reduce the
risk of disease following animal slaughter.
Different methods for the disposal of such wastes exist, including composting, anaerobi
c digestion (AD), alkaline hydrolysis (AH), rendering, incineration and burning.
Technology implemented in the Department of Veterinary Service, Banting Slaughter
House, has changed from previous ponding water treatment system to Two-stage
Bioreactor Filters.
In aiming for better waste water treatment that is practical, easy to maintain, economi
c is the base on system design development of Bioreactor filters
The system is effective with 90% decrease of pollute parameters and passed the efflue
nt Stage A
Removal Efficiency Using Two-Stage
Bioreactor Filters
Installation of Water Treatment Plant
Ecohydrology Approach for Putrajaya Lake and Wetlands
Management – Through Constructed Wetlands
UNESCO Ecohydrology Putrajaya Demo Site
 The ecohydrological approach is implemented by
the use of constructed wetland as a natural water
filtration treatment system to treat primary
upstream inflow to the lake.
 The wetland is to be complemented by riparian
parks and gross pollutant traps
 The wetlands and the lake have been developing
an interesting urban ecosystem that has
enhanced the ecosystem services in the areas.
Common reed - Leppironia articulata
REGULATING SERVICES: Fl
ood Mitigation
Normal water level
After heavy down fall
CULTURAL SERVICES:
Attraction for Recreationa
l Activities
• sightseeing via boat
•
•
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lake cruising
fishing
bird watching
walking
cycling
jogging
PROVISIONING SERVICES:
Precious Water
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
OF PUTRAJAYA LAKE
SUPPORTING SERVICES: T
he Cradle of Life
Initiatives by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
As one of the major public research institutions of higher learning, which is modeled to
champion the aspirations of the nation, UKM, in addition to teaching, has developed
twelve research niche areas. These include the following:
1.
Challenges for Nation Building, which has 4 clusters;
2.
Regional Sustainable Development with 6 clusters;
3.
Renewable Energy with 2 clusters;
4.
Health Technology and Medicine with 7 clusters;
5.
Climate Change with 2 cluster;
6.
Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials with 4 clusters;
7.
Biodiversity for Biotechnology Development with 3 clusters;
8.
Content-based Informatics with 3 clusters;
9.
Economics, Finance and Business;
10. Education and Civilization;
11. Politics and Security, and
12. Rural Transformation
Source: UKM Research Niche. http://www.ukm.my/v6/research-niches/
UKM Tree of Knowledge and Innovation
 The objective is to render quality services to the public (rakyat) and to support the
national sustainable development agenda through research and consultancies.
 This philosophy has been captured in what is favourably called the UKM’s Tree of
Knowledge & Innovation which is built upon the research niches identified above.
Source: Sharifah Hapsah S.H. S. (2013)
Living Labs @UKM & Regional Initiatives
In pursuit of this noble objective, UKM has
est
ablished what is referred to as ‘Living Labs’ to facilit
ate activities in the research areas.
These la
bs include:
 Langkawi Geopark Research Station (1st UNESCO
Global Geopark in Southeast Asia & Malaysia);
 Mersing Marine Ecosystem Research Station;
 Fraser’s Hill Montane Research Station;
 Lake Chini Research Station(Biosphere Reserve
Approach UNESCO);
 UKM Bangi Permanent Forest Reserve; and
 Langat HELP River Basin Initiative (1st UNESCO
HELP in Malaysia & 3 River Basin in SEA)
 Putrajaya Ecohydrology Demo Site (1st UNESCO
Ecohydrology Demo Site in Malaysia & 5 Projects
in SEA)
UNESCO HELP
Langat River Basin
UNESCO Ecohydrology
Putrajaya Demo Site
Langat Flood - Decision support system (DSS)
Towards Integrated Water Governance
 DSS- computer-based tools having interactive, graphical and modeling characteristi
c to address specific problems.
 The intelligent decision support concept links 4 basic elements of water and land
related issues and decision making (a) engineering expertise; (b) a systems
approach; (c) Geographical Information System (GIS) and; (d) artificial intelligence.
The structure of DSS for Sustainable Langat River Basin Management
Source: Mohd Ekhwan Toriman et al, 2012
Development of a Local Hydromulching (Bio Engineering) Technology
for Erosion and Sediment Control of the UKM Campus Watershed
 The development of an Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) model for the UKM
Campus watershed includes localised technology, information and communication
system, as well as awareness and community participation for the greening and
rehabilitation of UKM Campus.
 Mulching is a method of closing the exposed soil with no ground cover plants using
organic materials, sawdust, rice husk and also coconut husk as a fibres for effective
management of erosion and landslides.
 Bioengineering solutions will not only be green in appearance, but in the long term
may be cheaper to maintain due to the flexibility of vegetation in following ground
level movements as compared to hard concrete structures.
Source: Rahmah Elfithri et al, 2013
Integrated Storm Water Management
- Development of Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs)
in Alur Ilmu, UKM Bangi Campus
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Integrated Storm Water Management approaches are used to manage Alur Ilmu.
Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) comprise of certain species of
emergent/buoyant plants. Phytoremediation process.
FTWs can be specifically designed or they can be retrofitted into river and
drainage systems.
Potentially, FTWs can be used in river and drainage systems for:
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Domestic wastewater treatment
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Metals treatment
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Agricultural waste treatment
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Habitats
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Tourism
Source: Lee Khai Ern et al, 2015
System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
 Agroecological principles has been implemented in SRI which emphasize the
preservation of ecosystem and biodiversity to water saving and chemical-free
through this technique.
 SRI is a remarkable innovation in farming techniques that changing the management
of the plants, soil, water and nutrients utilized in paddy rice production.
• The empowerment through workshops, conference, seminars and training to
promote paddy cultivation through SRI methods as well as trained the farmers.
• Community building through cooperatives and social enterprises, it can encourage
students and communities for entrepreneurship.
• Exposure visits and skills or expert exchanges.
 SRI product- Organic fragrant rice. ( Less water, less input). RM4/kg ~ USD 1.30
Source: Anizan Isahak et al, 2013
Renewable Energy for
Energy and Water Nexus in Practice
Solar Powered Real-Time Water Quality
Monitoring System with GSM Technology
UKM Green Technology Innovation Park
Catfish Thermal-Solar Assisted
Drying System in Arau, Perlis
Algae based technology for zero waste processes usin
g native strains for palm oil waste water treatment
ECOSYSTEM DISCOVERY JOURNEY (EDJ)
MODULEs
 Ecosystem Discovery Journey Modules Series has been developed
and delivered through number of programs which involved students,
teachers, community and industry at large.
 The module is developed as an aid in community outreach program,
learning for change program towards conserving ecosystem
 Towards sustainable utilisation of natural resource while educating the
interest and self-relationship to nature and the environment.
Role of University to Face Sustainability Challenges
 “Sustainability science is an emerging field of problem-driven, interdisciplinary scholarsh
ip that seeks to facilitate interventions that foster shared prosperity and reduced poverty
while protecting the environment. The field is defined by the problems it addresses rathe
r than the disciplines it employs. It draws from multiple disciplines of the natural, social,
medical and engineering sciences, from the professions, and from practical field experie
nce in business, government, and civil society.” (Harvard University, 2012)
 Sustainability science is a vital part of the solutions to the sustainability challenges we
face. It promotes as such cross-disciplinary coordination, and requires global cooperativ
e effort to advance understanding of the dynamics of human-environment system. (UNE
SCO, 2013)
 Brought together key stakeholders and scientists to discuss the current status of sustain
ability science, globally, and in the Asia-Pacific region including challenges of Post-2015
Development Agenda, Environmental Sustainability in the ASEAN, and experiences in
implementing Sustainable Science policies.
Conclusion
 Education is main part to tail of our efforts to protect and restore river
ecosystem.
 Many examples to attract people.
 Many activities are supported by goverments, donors, private sectors, NGOs.
 Many River restoration projects conducted with few elements to share best
practices with teachers.
 Boost knowledge on the river ecosystem functions and values.
 Use different methods and tools.
 Seek to transform innovative initiatives of education and capacity building to
schools curricula.
STI for Nexus of Water, Energy, Food & Climate
Sustainability Science for SDGs
t
& for the Future that We Wan