final review meeting of the ilbm-governance...
TRANSCRIPT
1 Gopinath Nagaraj and P. Loganathan, ASM 2 Juhaimi Jusoh, Mohd Fadhil Kassim and Bashirah Fazli, Centre of Water Quality and Environmental Research, NAHRIM
FINAL REVIEW MEETING OF THE ILBM-GOVERNANCE PROJECT 2nd TO 6th NOVEMBER 2010, KUSATSU, JAPAN
MANAGING LAKES AND THEIR BASINS FOR SUSTAINABLE USE IN MALAYSIA -
SYNTHESIS REPORT OF EIGHT SELECTED MALAYSIAN LAKES AND RESERVOIRS
By
Academy Science of Malaysia (ASM)1
and National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM)2
1.0 Introduction Senior members of the International Lake Environment Committee’s (ILEC) Scientific
Committee had their first Consultative Meeting with Malaysian Experts on 9 July
2008 in Malaysia, having participated the previous day in the ASM Governance
Component Plan Workshop at NAHRIM. At this first Consultative Meeting, Dr. Nakamura
introduced an ILBM-Governance Project proposal entitled “Development of a
Knowledge-base in Lake Management in Malaysia”. This was followed by a discussion
on candidate lakes from Malaysia to be included in the ILBM-G Project. ILEC proposed
2 lakes in Malaysia, namely the Bukit Merah Lake (man-made) in Perak, and Tasik (or,
Lake) Chini (natural) in Pahang, to be selected for preparation of lake briefs formatted in
accordance with a recent ILEC developed template. In responding to this request and
noting further that such data collection forms part and parcel of the detailed action plan
recommended under Strategy V of the Strategic Plan for Sustainable Lake and
Reservoir Management, the ASM Task Force on ILBM decided that the task be not
limited to the 2 lakes identified by ILEC but be extended to six (6) other lakes in the
country. The other 6 lakes were chosen to meet certain criteria, namely, that their
location should cover a good geographical spread, they are for varying usage (flood
control; hydro-electric power; irrigation; water supply or for recreational purposes) and
their formation was either natural or man-made. The additional lakes selected were the
Kenyir Lake in Terengganu, Muda-Pedu Lake in Kedah, Putrajaya Lake in Putrajaya,
Terip Lake in Negeri Sembilan, Timah-Tasoh Lake in Perlis, and Loagan (Lake) Bunut in
Sarawak (Fig. 1). ILEC was informed accordingly during the ILBM-G Annual Review
meeting held in Kusatsu, Japan in March 2009.
1 Gopinath Nagaraj and P. Loganathan, ASM 2 Juhaimi Jusoh, Mohd Fadhil Kassim and Bashirah Fazli, Centre of Water Quality and Environmental Research, NAHRIM
The relevant lake owners/managers of all the eight (8) lakes were accordingly requested
to gather the necessary information and prepare the lake briefs in accordance with the
format provided in the ILEC template (Table 1). Lake managers were also encouraged to
collaborate with local universities, such as The National University of Malaysia (UKM),
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia (UTM), and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) to assist especially in
multi-disciplinary data collection and analysis. NAHRIM would coordinate these actvities
and all data and information collected will be stored in the national lake repository based
with them and coming under the purview of the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment (NRE).
On successful completion of this assignment by the various lake managers, ASM
working jointly with NAHRIM and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and with
the support of respective ministries , namely NRE, KETTHA and MOSTI, organised a
National Seminar from 22nd – 23rd Feb. 2010, with the theme “Managing Lakes and
their Basins for Sustainable Use: Current Status of Selected Lakes”. At this National
Seminar held in NRE, Putrajaya, lake briefs of the 8 selected lakes were presented and
deliberated by some 120 participants from relevant Ministries, Central Agencies, relevant
federal and State agencies, State Economic Planning Units, the relevant
District/Residency Officers, and Lake Managers and Owners. Senior members of the
International Lake Environment Committee’s (ILEC) Scientific Committee, Dr. M.
Nakamura and Prof. Walter Rast, and ILEC’s international participants from Nepal,
Mexico, China, Japan, India, the Philippines and the USA, also participated in the
Seminar. As part of the Seminar proceedings, a Gap Analysis was undertaken on the 8
lakes by Nakamura (on Tasik Chini and Tasik Bukit Merah), Rast (on Tasik Kenyir and
Loagan Bunut), Dr. Low Kwai Sim (on Tasik Putrajaya and Tasik Muda-Pedu) and P.
Loganathan (on Tasik Terip and Tasik Timah Tasoh) (Appendices 1, 2 and 3).
1 Gopinath Nagaraj and P. Loganathan, ASM 2 Juhaimi Jusoh, Mohd Fadhil Kassim and Bashirah Fazli, Centre of Water Quality and Environmental Research, NAHRIM
Table 1 List of The Eight Lake Owners/Managers Lake Owners / Managers Lakes Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Bukit Merah Lake EPU PAHANG, UKM Tasik Chini KETENGAH, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), UPM Kenyir Lake Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) Muda-Pedu Lake Putrajaya Holdings Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan (SAINS)
Putrajaya Lake Terip Lake
Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), USM Timah Tasoh Lake UNIMAS, Sarawak Forestry Loagan Bunut
1 Gopinath Nagaraj and P. Loganathan, ASM 2 Juhaimi Jusoh, Mohd Fadhil Kassim and Bashirah Fazli, Centre of Water Quality and Environmental Research, NAHRIM
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2.0 Management and Management Outcomes of Selected Malaysian Lakes
A brief summary highlighting the management and management outcomes drawn from
the 8 lake briefs are presented below:
2.1 Tasik Bukit Merah, Perak The oldest reservoir in the country, built in 1906, the Bukit Merah Reservoir
covers an area of 6,200ha and hold 83 million cubic meters of water.
Though originally established only for irrigation of the fields in Krian, the reservoir,
which captures the waters of the Sg. Kurau and Sg. Merah, now supports a
multiplicity of functions many of which it was never designed for.
These functions include: o Provision of irrigation water to the 23,560ha Krian Irrigation Scheme for
rice cultivation. The Krian scheme is one the largest granary areas in the
country, catering for over 10,000 farmers and their 50,000 family
members.
o Provision of domestic water supply for the 200,000 people in Kerian
District & Larut Matang districts.
o To mitigate downstream flooding of Sg. Kurau. Spillway structures are
used to regulate discharge of excess water to downstream stretches of
the river.
o Support tourism activities, specifically lakefront resort development, the
most prominent of which Bukit Merah Lake Town Resort. Specific to
resort development would be the need to support navigation particularly
in relation to the Resort’s need for recreational boating and access to
Orangutan Island.
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o Support the development of Arowana production for the global aquarium
trade.
o Cater for north-south railway line that runs across Bukit Merah Dam for 4
km length.
The reservoir also supports a rich and varied aquatic biodiversity, with over 34
species of fish inclusive crabs and prawns recorded. Over 50 fishermen operate
in the lake, their catch forming the basis of a small dried and pickled fish industry.
Most important is the presence of the Arowana Malayan Gold (Sclerophages
formosus), the only place in the world where it occurs. The Department of
Fisheries has gazetted the northern area of the lake near Sg. Merah river mouth
as a Arowana Sanctuary in compliance with the international convention as a pre
condition to support the Arowanas’ breeding industry.
In addition to its aquatic wildlife, a 10-ha island in the lake has been converted to
a reserve for the endangered orang utan.
The management of the lakes faces several existing and potential challenges, all
of which relate to the many uses to which the lake is subject to. Among these
include the following:
o Deleterious changes in land use in the surrounding catchment represent
the most pervasive problem facing the lake. These include land clearing
and replanting in private lands surrounding and the lake basin. Clearing of
planted areas for replanting by estates or smallholders over a large scale
causes increased surface run off with siltation and degrading water
quality. Another major change in basin land use is the deforestation
activities following the conversion of 1000ha of forest land for pasture
grounds.
o Another major, and related, challenge comes from the floating vegetation
growth of common susum (Hanguana malayana) and water hyacinth. An
estimated 40% of the watershed area, particularly on the north and
eastern portion of the lake covered by floating and aquatic vegetation,
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especially near both Sg. Merah and Sg. Kurau river mouth. The growth of
these noxious weeds has also been promoted by fertilizer and nutrient
runoff from plantations in the upper catchment. The management of the
weeds is not simply a matter of cost. Removal of the floating vegetation
needs to take into account the sensitivity of the habitat as well.
o Occasional drought event interferes with navigation. In 2009, a severe
draw down to lake level had put boating activities on hold for a month,
disrupting tours to the Orangutan Islands.
In addition, the development pressures on the lake have not ceased. There are a
number of activities that have been planned by the state government, who see
the lake as a major tourism and commercial hub.
Among these include: o The state government has gazetted 180ha of rice field for arowana based
industries. Though the land itself is downstream of the lake, the
development of the industry is likely to put pressure on the natural stocks
of the fish, particularly in relation to supply of parent fish for the farms that
are to come up.
o Another 670ha of government land and another 40ha ha inside the lake
has been alienated for the further development of Bukit Merah Lake Town
Resort for 4 star hotels, chalets, residential, resort homes, higher learning
institution and water theme parks.
o The upgrading of the existing single north-south railway line across the
lake under the National Electrified Double Tracking Project (NEDTP) has
also posed serious problems. The original railbed enable water to flow
through a small bridge. The newer line runs over a viaduct to enable a
free flow. However, removal of the existing railbed has not been budgeted
for in their initial planning. In addition, the railway contractors decided to
excavate trenches along the existing track to enable access for their
pontoons. This not only caused an increase to lake’s turbidity, oil spills
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from the pontoons also contaminated domestic and irrigation water supply
downstream.
o Related to the NEDTP is the need for fill material. About 5 hectares of
backfilling inside the lake were approved by the government in order for
the NEDTP’s contractor to have working space for the project. This has
created a demand for sand, in response to which the state government
approved 7 operators to extract sand along the Sg. Kurau River. Despite
the imposition of environmental controls such as installation of silt curtain
and oil residue traps, leakages occur.
The spectrum of activity that the lake currently supports and expected to support
in future points unequivocally for a consolidated institutional regime that can
provide coherence to lake management and use. However, such a regime does
not exist for Tasik Bukit Merah.
The lake is subject to two separate and independent district managements i.e
Kerian District and Larut Matang District. There is no joint committee currently to
discuss common approaches in handling lake basin management issues.
The current development of the catchment surrounding the lake comes under
Land Office or Forestry Department where state land or forest reserves are
concerned. However, other stakeholders operating within the basin, including
private companies as well as government agencies such as RISDA and FELCRA,
can do what they want within their boundaries.
At state level, a Bukit Merah Development Committee has been formed by the
state. Chaired by the State Secretary, and helmed by the State Planning
Economy Unit, State Department of Irrigation and Drainage, District and Land
Office, Local Town Council and Town and Country Planning Department, its
primary goal is to promote investment in Bukit Merah rather than to grapple with
its many management issues.
Another institution, the State River Committee which is chaired by a State
Executive Councillor with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage as
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secretariat and with the Departments of Environment, Forestry Department, Land
and Geoscience and Minerals as members, are better poised to play a role in
providing the integrated management that the lake so sorely lacks. Though the
goal of the State River Committee is in relation to Integrated River Basin
Management, this role can be expanded to subsume ILBM norms as well.
2.2 Tasik Chini, Pahang Tasik Chini is a natural lake, formed by fluvial processes associated with Sg.
Pahang. It is located in Pahang, about 100km south of Kuantan. Tasik Chini is
the second largest fresh water lake in Malaysia and is made up of a series of 12
lakes. Sg. Chini, which drains from the lake, flows into Sg. Pahang. With seven
active feeder rivers, the size of the lake varies from 202ha (dry season) to 300ha.
As with the Bunut, it is shallow, its maximum depth ranging from 3 – 6m
depending on season.
Tasik Chini’s key quality is its heritage value. The lake, and its immediate
surrounds, supports an immense biodiversity, being home to 138 species of flora,
300 species of non-aquatic life and 144 species of fresh water fish. Between
August and September the lake is transformed into a floating garden with
thousands of white and pink lotus flowers covering the surface.
These resources define the lifestyle of the Jakun aboriginals who live around
Tasik Chini. They have traditionally been fishermen, though in recent years many
of them have found jobs in the nearby plantations and in Pekan itself. The myths
and beliefs of the Jakun relate very closely with the lake. According to legend,
the lake is inhabited by a dragon called the Naga Seri Gumum. It is also believed
that an ancient sunken Khmer city sits at the bottom of the lake.
The loss of the values of the lake, therefore, involves not only affects its unique
biodiversity, but also the human culture and heritage with which it is associated.
The Malaysian public has long been cognizant of the beauty of the lake. Tasik
Chini has been a tourist destination for many years, and improved accessibility
has increased visitor flows. There are two resorts and a National Service camp,
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in addition to other tourism facilities. Tourist receipts have brought change to the
impoverished area, but not all change has been positive. Some of the more
deleterious conflicts are as below.
o In a well-meaning, but flawed, effort to enable better boat access to the
lake, a weir was constructed along Sg. Chini in 1994 to ensure
navigability during the dry season. However, this disrupted the natural
ecology of the lake and caused the death of trees on its shores due to
elevated water level. Though modifications have since been made to the
weir, the hydro-ecology of the lake has been altered permanently.
o Logging and plantation activities have resulted in negative impacts on the
ecological functions and the biodiversity of the lake. Oil palm plantations
now fringe much of the lake shoreline, and the run-off has caused serious
increases in sediment load.
o By the same token, forest clearing has led to significant increases in
erosion runoff, lowering of the water table and degradation of the quality
of the water from feeder rivers.
o Sewage and sullage discharge from the resorts and the NS camp have
seriously affected water quality, resulting in high E. coli levels and
proliferation of the noxious weed, Cabomba furcata.
The combined effect of these various stressors has led to loss in biodiversity and
environmental quality of the lake and threatens to reduce its visitor appeal. Thus,
the various developments undertaken have contrived to undermine the very
objectives that underpinned their implementation.
There is no one authority that is in charge of its development and management.
Management has been distributed to a plethora of agencies that do not work in
concert to engender an integrated approach to management of the lake.
The lake and its watershed have been declared an Class I Environmentally
Sensitive Area (ESA) by the Department of Town and Country Planning, while a
corresponding effort is being made by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to make it
a biosphere reserve. However, while both these measures are undoubtedly steps
in the right direction, the absence of a unitary institutional mechanism that can
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champion the needs, economic and ecological, of the lake remains a major
shortcoming.
2.3 Tasik Timah Tasoh, Perlis
Located in Perlis, the Tasik Timah Tasoh is located near the Thailand border. It
has a mean surface area of 13.33 square kilometers and a storage capacity of
about 40 million cubic meters. The reservoir receives inputs from three main
rivers, the Sg. Tasoh, Sg. Jarum and Sg. Pelarit, which have a combined basin
area of 226 square kilometers and supply approximately 97 million cubic meters
of water into the reservoir annually. The reservoir is shallow with a maximum
depth of 10m and submerged aquatic plants can be seen along the shoreline and
in shallow areas.
The main purposes of the Timah Tasoh dam is provide:
o Fifty five million cubic meters of irrigation water for over 3,000ha of rice
fields in the state.
o Supply line for domestic supply(54,000 m³/day)
o Control and prevent flood occurrences in rainy season.
In addition to these direct use values, the dam supports a substantial level of
aquatic biodiversity, with over 19 species of fish being reported. This biodiversity
has attracted a small artisanal fishing population who rely on the lake as a source
of income. No less important are the numerous recreational fishers that crowd its
banks after work and during weekends.
The use of the lake for artisanal and recreational fishing is promoted by the
Department of Fisheries. Some species of fish, such as Big Head Carp
(Aristicthys nobilis), Grass Carp (Ctenophargodon idella) and Javanese Carp
(Puntius gonionotus) are exotic and clearly have been stocked as part of a
fisheries resource enhancement programme.
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Major challenges to its management include changes in land use and vegetation
cover resulting in major modification to freshwater runoff and sediment transport
into the lake. These activities include farming and resort development. In addition,
solid waste is washed down after heavy downpours from upstream Padang
Besar.
The nutrients in-flows that accompanied this change in land use had led to
pollution and a proliferation of water weeds. The latter has involved a substantial
outlay in maintenance costs. For instance, the Department of Irrigation and
Drainage spent RM2.4 million in 2000 for the removal of aquatic plants. However,
removal of the weeds is not a solution.
The weeds themselves sequester the nutrients brought in through polluted runoff
and their removal can lead to an overall decline in water quality.
However, management of the lake is entirely in the hands of the Department of
Irrigation and Drainage, whose goal is to ensure the primary functions of the
reservoir in relation to water supply and flood mitigation. They have neither the
mandate nor the capacity to investigate water quality and biodiversity issues.
2.4 Tasik Terip, Negeri Sembilan
Constructed in 1987, the reservoir that is impounded by the 500m long and 40m
high Sg. Terip dam holds 47,400 cubic meters of water, while covering an area of
240 ha. Situated near the 10th km Jalan Jelebu, the dam taps on the waters of
the Sg. Terip and Sg. Batang Penar. However, supply to the reservoir is
supplemented by the Kelinchi and Talang dams through a 7-km long tunnel.
The primary function of the reservoir is to ensure the supply of potable water to
the 570,000 people who live in Seremban district (Senawang, Ampangan, Labu,
Nilai, Mantin, Lenggeng and KLIA quarters) in Negeri Sembilan.
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The Sg. Terip dam supplies 65% out of total raw water to the Sg. Terip Water
Treatment Plant, the largest in the state. The management of the Sg. Terip
reservoir is limited to ensure that water levels are maintained in order to provide
optimum supply to consumers. The management authorities have no other
function than to ensure the primacy of this mandate. Though aquaculture
(specifically, cage culture of freshwater fish) was carried out in the reservoir in
the early 1990s, the activity has since been discontinued.
The main issue faced in the management of the reservoir was the presence of
high levels of iron and manganese. However, this was overcome by the use of
compressed air released at the deepest part of the reservoir forming bubble
plumes, rising to the surface and breaking the thermal strata.
Thermal stratification of reservoirs is very common in Malaysia. It separates the
water column into an upper oxygen rich epilimnetic (upper layer) layer and a
oxygen depleted hypolimnetic (lower layer) waters.
The water in the lower layer does not support life and is unsuitable for human or
animal consumption. However, the use of aeration enables the thermal strata to
be broken, enable the water in the reservoir to be more efficiently utilized.
2.5 Loagan (Tasik) Bunut, Sarawak
Like Tasik Chini reported above, Tasik Bunut is a natural, and not a man-made,
water body. Located in Miri Division, Loagan Bunut was originally part of the Teru
River and was formed through tectonic processes some 7,000 years ago. With
an area of 650ha, it is the largest natural lake in the country. The lake is not deep,
with an average depth of only 4m. The depth fluctuates 2- 5 times a year.
Like Tasik Chini, Loagan Bunut’s key quality is its heritage value. The thousands
of years that spanned its existence has enabled it to support a wide range of
wildlife and water birds. Its waters are home to over 70 species of fish, while its
substantial storage capacity cushions flooding downstream.
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These qualities are central to the culture of the Berawan people. The lake has
been settled for many generations by the Berawans, who have spun their
lifestyles, beliefs and myths around the water body. The degradation of the lake,
therefore, would not only lead to loss of its unique biodiversity, but also the
human culture and heritage with which it is associated.
Cognisant of these values, the state has declared Loagan Bunut and its
immediate surrounds as part of the Loagan Bunut National Park. Emplacing
under a single park management should have avoided the kind of user conflicts
that is seen in other lakes such as Bukit Merah. However, the management
structure has one crucial flaw i.e it does not control development activity in the
upper catchment of the lake.
In recent years, the lake basin has been logged and alienated for oil palm. At
present, over 19,000ha of forested basin area has been developed by 7
plantations. The result has been deleterious changes to the lakes, including:
o Differences in maximum discharge and base flow.
o Increased fluctuation in water levels.
o increase in sediment of up to 2,800 ton/yr due to increase in frequency of
inflow.
o Low dissolved oxygen and high nutrients coupled with unpleasant odours and
proliferation of algae.
o Decrease in catch rates and fish species and a dominance of Biawan
(Hellostoma tenmiccki), a low value air breathing species.
Unlike Tasik Chini, the presence of a single park authority has enabled its
management on a comprehensive platform. A Management Plan containing 14
strategies and 58 action plans (including Environmental Monitoring System
manual and Standard Operating Procedures of Lake) are in place, though full
institutional compliance is still in the pipeline.
There has been an active attempt to engage the Berawan in management of the
Park. The community has set up a fishery co-management initiative started in
2005 to regularize the fishing rights and privileges and to increase the fish stocks
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though habitat enrichment and other means. Community and stakeholder
participation though awareness programmes and river adoptions (tagan system)
has been promoted. Also promoted has been the adoption of ecological
sanitation by communities to reduce sullage and sewage discharge into the lake.
However, these measures are limited to the Park boundaries. The Sarawak
Forestry Corporation (which administers the Park), has no jurisdiction outside the
Park, within the basin as whole, where various other agencies such as Land and
Survey, Forestry and Ministry of Land and Rural Development hold sway. There
is thus a need to engage the totality of stakeholders within the basin if the lake is
to be managed sustainably.
2.6 Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu
As with Bukit Merah, Kenyir Lake began its life simply, with the two major goals
of hydroelectricity and flood mitigation, only to see a multiplicity of roles imposed
on it, none of which it was prepared for.
Built in 1985, Kenyir Lake came with the construction of a dam across the Sg.
Terengganu at Jenagor. Drowning what was once lush rain forest, the lake is
located 16 km from Kuala Berang & 70 km from Kuala Terengganu, bordering
Kelantan in the west and Pahang in the south including part of National park area.
Though the Sg. Terengganu is the main feeder, an additional 15 rivers also drain
into the lake, its 37,000ha of water surface area broken up by 340 islands, which
were formerly hilltops.
As with most deep lakes in the country, Kenyir is permanently stratified, a
condition that is exacerbated by the fact that none of the original forest
vegetation was removed, except a small percentage at Jenagor dam. Oxygen is
only found in the first 5 – 10m, the rest of its average of 38m being a formidable
soup of ammonia, hydrogen sulphide and iron, where no life can exist.
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At the surface levels, much of open waters of the reservoir are de facto aquatic
deserts. Most fish remain in the lake periphery, or along the original river channel
and flood plains. Yields in 1990’s ranged 20 kg/ha/yr. Yields were higher yields in
the initial stage of impoundment, but has since declined due to use of explosives,
poison and illegal fishing gears.
Kenyir Lake was originally created for hydroelectricity as well as flood mitigation.
It has now come to play a major role in the economy of the state as follows.
• Hydroelectricity continues to remain the mainstay of the lake’s function.
The Sultan Mahmood Hydroelectric power station feeds some 400 mW
into the national power grid.
• Flood mitigation is also an important role that is played by Kenyir Lake.
The lake levels have an allowable fluctuation of 11m, enabling it to absorb
the monsoonal surge. Floods downstream, which were an annual
occurance, ceased with the construction of the dam.
• The supply of drinking water is a new function. A private concern, Kenyir
One Sdn. Bhd., operates a drinking water processing plant producing
17.42 million L/day. • Lake based ecotourism has become one of the biggest drivers of the local
economy. Ecotourism is spurred by the range of geographical attractions
within the immediate catchment of the lake (rivers, waterfalls, islands,
caves), the biodiversity they support (8,000 flowers, 2,500 plants, 800
orchids,- 200 species of animals, 370 species of birds, 1,000 species of
butterflies, and hundreds of species of snakes and insects), human and
heritage values (Neolithic remains; Smog Beri aboriginal tribe) and
recreational possibilities (water sports, angling). The emphasis on
ecotourism has led to substantial investment in the industry. There are
over thirteen resorts or hotels, 444 chalets, 10 holiday bungalows and 7
raft houses. For food, there are 16 floating restaurants, while numerous
smaller shops hawk souvenirs and handicraft. The resorts and tour
operators rely on a fleet of tourist boats, and navigational safety has
become a major development consideration. • Aquaculture has come to become a major activity within the lake area.
Kenyir lake has been designated an Aquaculture Industry Zone by the
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State and considerable emphasis has been placed on the commercial
cage culture of tilapia. KETENGAH has also set up a special aquaculture
industrial zone at Sg. Como. The lake already supports an excess of
1,000 such cages and plans are afoot to expand this considerably.
The demands that have been placed on Lake Kenyir by the developments
additional to its original function would clearly strain its ability to sustain the
quality of its environment. Among the impacts that would inevitably follow
unfettered development would a degradation of water quality and eutrophication
from intensive cage culture, sewage and other wastes as well as perturbations
and removal of vegetation cover in the watershed from logging and land
development.
Decimation of fisheries resources from can come from, overfishing and habitat
destruction. The introduction of exotic animal and plant life that can out-compete
local species is a real danger. Already, feral tilapia is proliferating in the lake,
while the arapaima (Arapaima gigas) has been recorded in the lake as well.
In contrast with Bukit Merah, however, governance of Lake Kenyir is vested with
a single institution i.e. Central Terengganu Development Authority (KETENGAH),
which in 1993 was mandated to plan and develop Kenyir Lake as a major tourist
destination in the country.
While KETENGAH itself undertakes potential development activities, identifies
tourism products for local and international markets and prepare strategic plans
to optimize the use of the resources, while the resolution of technical issues are
coordinated with agencies such as Departments of Forest, Fisheries,
Environment, and Energy.
While KETENGAH has little internal understanding of ILBM and capacity to
implement it to its full extent, nonetheless, it reflects a institutional model that
other lakes in the country can emulate.
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2.7 Tasik Pedu/Muda, Kedah
Though most Malaysians know that Kedah and Perlis are one of the most
important rice bowls of the nation, nary a thought is given to how it is watered.
The answer lies in two reservoirs, the Pedu and Muda. Working like a tag team in
a wrestling match, the separate catchments of both combine to provide not only
rice to the nation, but drinking water to the thousands that live in its catchment.
The Pedu is in Padang Terap district, while Muda is in Sik district, both in Kedah.
A tunnel links the Muda to the Pedu to ensure that the Pedu is always full. Built in
1969, both reservoirs come under the Muda Agriculture Development Authority
(MADA).
A total of 6 rivers (Sungai Pedu, Sungai Bong, Sungai Keleh Bulan, Sungai Jek,
Sungai Peluk dan Sungai Mong Gajah) drain into the Pedu reservoir while 4
(Sungai Muda, Sungai Che Song, Sungai Teliang and Sungai Nipis Kulit) feed
the Muda impoundment. Pedu has an area of 5,200ha while Muda is smaller,
only 1,550ha.
The primary functions of both reservoirs are as follows:
o To supply irrigation water to MADA rice growing area. The dams are
expected to supply 750 – 800 million cubic meters annually to 63,000
households in the MADA scheme who rely on rice farming.
o Together with the adjoining Ahning Dam, to supply domestic and
industrial water supply to northern Kedah, Langkawi and Perlis.
However, the values of both reservoirs and their respective catchments go well
beyond simply being a source of water. Among these values are as follows:
o The catchment of both dams support pristine tracts of Dipterocarp forest.
The forest contains elements of Thai-Burmese flora due to its proximity to
southern Thailand. The trees in the Muda Catchment consist of 273 taxa
(260 species, 4 subspecies & 9 varieties) or which 18 are endemic to the
area.
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o The forests support a wealth of terrestrial wildlife. There are at least 11
saltlicks in Muda and 2 in Pedu. Wildlife surveys have shown the Ulu
Muda area to have substantial populations of large mammals, especially
the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus),
Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) and Malayan sun bear (Helarctos
malayanus as well as a rich diversity of birds including large flocks of the
globally-threatened plain-pouched hornbill. gaur or seladang (Bos
frontalis), Malayan tapir,). Ulu Muda is one of only two places in the world
(the other being Belum-Temengor) where the white-handed gibbon and
the agile gibbon exist side-by-side.
o The lake supports 14 species of fish representing six (6) families i.e.
Cyprinidae, Chilidae, Bagridae, Nandidae and Anabantidae.
The lake also supports small-scale subsistence fishery, with about 45 fishermen.
About 80 tonnes of fish are landed annually. Angling has become a favourite
pursuit, particularly in Muda, with one study indicating that the activity accounts
for 7,680 person-days/year. The gathering of honey is also important in the
nearby forests.
These values have directed the attention of development authorities towards the
lakes, particularly Pedu. Like other lakes described above, new roles have been
imposed on them, for which they are ill-prepared.
The most prominent of these have been resort development in Pedu Lake started
in 1994. However, many of the 235 buildings and part of the golf course were
lower than maximum lake level. MADA stood to loose 163 million cubic meters
of storage (15% of lake storage capacity) if it were to agree to keep levels down,
and it refused.
As a consequence, the resorts could only operate during low water level and the
resorts closed in 2007.
Another major development has been the declaration of Pedu as an Aquaculture
Industry Zone (AIZ). At present 340,000 m2 (3,300 nos. fish cages) have been
20
zoned in Pedu in 4 approved locations, while a further 89,000 m2 (890 nos. fish
cages) in 3 locations have been identified for Muda. Currently, investments in
aquaculture are still limited.
Only 157 cages currently operate in Pedu and its impact is imperceptible.
However, the full development of the AIZ may have a more prominent impact of
lake water quality.
It is clear that both Pedu and Muda reservoirs are not only crucially valuable
national assets in themselves, but also have precious biodiversity values that
have yet to be fully explored. Economic values such as recreational fishing and
ecotourism have also not been fully developed to their full potential. Existing
development efforts have been on an ad-hoc basis and have contradicting
objectives.
For instance, the pristine recreation waterscape that can be sold to tourists can
be marred by cage culture activities.
The underlying management problem facing both lakes lie in the lack a single
management authority that can coordinate and synergise the activities that the
lakes can and need to support. Though MADA is in charge of the dam and
sustaining reservoir levels, it has no say in how the catchment is managed and
developed. For that MADA has to work directly with 4 other government agencies
(Departments of Forestry, Wildlife Fisheries and District Office) and lake
communities and users and indirectly with a number of the others. This plethora
of management players leads to miscues and conflict in the overall management
of the resource.
The Ulu Muda forest (of which the Pedu and Muda are a part) has been
proposed for a State Park. If this transpires, then perhaps the State Park would
have the appropriate unitary authority to rationalize the management of MADA’s
lacustrine tag team.
21
2.8 Tasik Putrajaya, Putrajaya
A visitor to Malaysia’s administrative capital cannot help but be impressed by the
visually arresting architecture that is the hallmark of all its buildings. But the show
stealer is the lake, around which the buildings stand. Tasik Putrajaya is unusual
in that it the largest constructed recreational lake and wetland in the country.
Tasik Putrajaya is not simply an aesthetic extravagance. In the development of
Putrajaya, it was anticipated that major disturbances will occur in storm water
flow as a consequence of land clearing. In order to ensure the surface water run-
off not to be polluted and not to pollute the downstream area, a treatment plant or
wetland was constructed. In addition, a large proportion of the city area was
designated as green open space.
Combining both these considerations led to the creation of 600 ha of lake, 200ha
of wetlands, with 38km of the waterfront area. In fact, Tasik Putrajaya is the
largest man-made wetlands in the tropics. Planted with more than 70 species of
vegetation, the wetland functions as a natural filter for the lake. In addition, it is
also providing habitat and acts as a nutrient regulator. However, as it stands,
Hanguana malayana, which is also a problem in Bukit Merah, occupies most of
the wetland cells.
The source of the water comes from small river upstream of Putrajaya, that come
from the catchments of Sg Chua and Sg Bisa. Rock-filled weirs were constructed
across the small river tributaries to make up the 24 wetlands cells with depths
ranging 2-14 metres. The wetland and the accompanying lake is currently used
for recreation, fishing, water sports and water transport.
Unlike all the other lakes described in this document, Tasik Putrajaya has an
agency dedicated to championing its cause. The Putrajaya Corporation even has
a lake vision i.e.:
“To manage the lake in order to ensure its aesthetic viability, sustain good water
quality, and allow for different recreational uses, including primary and secondary
contact activities.”
22
Lake water quality is of paramount important to the Corporation as its location is
in the heart of the city and also a centre for water sports, recreation and tourism.
The management focus is on stormwater quantity and quality, emergency
preparedness and public awareness and participation. Management measures
include employment of Best Management Practices in construction, pesticide and
fertilizer use, housekeeping, weed control and grass cutting and removal of
floatables.
As a consequence, Putrajaya Lake supports a wide range of terrestrial fauna
including birds, insects, reptiles, mammals & amphibians, as well as rich
population of fish. The management plan for the lake calls for enhancement &
establishment of a balanced biodiversity including stocking of fish and protection
of rare and endangered birds.
Despite the quality of infrastructure and management that is in place, Tasik
Putrajaya suffers from development pressures from outside its boundaries. The
catchment of Putrajaya Lake straddles both the Putrajaya administrative area
(70%), and the State of Selangor (30%). The catchment areas also lies within 3
different municipalities i.e. Majlis Daerah Sepang, Majlis Perbandaran Subang
Jaya and Perbadanan Putrajaya. There are 5 institutional entities operating
within the catchment (Universiti Putra Malaysia, MARDI, Tenaga Nasional
Berhad, Universiti Tenaga Nasional) while property developers (IOI Corp., West
Country, Cyberjaya) are active in the catchment as well.
In addition, there is a small area under individual ownership in Sungai Merab.
There is no one body that coordinates the activities and functions of these
stakeholders and lake continues to be the victim of this fragmentation. Future
development within the catchment is expected to increase run-off and pollutant
concentration will either be maintained or increased. There must be mechanisms
to control direct discharge of fertilizer, detergent and sewage to the system by
controlling its sources in the catchment. Proper maintenance and implementation
23
of the management measures is the key to the success of the wetlands and lake
in achieving its management and operational objectives.
There is thus a need for all these stakeholders to work in concert to enable the
integrated management of the lake catchment. Active participation from all
stakeholders within the catchments is crucial to ensure proper implementation of
the catchments management’s recommended programmes. Therefore, there is a
need to determine the feasible mechanism where strategic intervention can be
made to mitigate the impacts to Putrajaya Lake via catchment protection and
control.
3.0 Achievements and Issues in Malaysian Lake Management
Comparing the 8 lakes reviewed above, it is clear that almost all support a multiplicity of
functions (Table 2). The multi-functionality particularly is pronounced in Kenyir and Pedu
and the least in Terip. Multiple uses have also been thrust on Bukit Merah and Timah
Tasoh, while heritage issues loom prominently in Loagan Bunut and Chini.
Despite this functionality, it is pertinent to note that all the reservoirs examined were
originally constructed for a single (or at most, dual) function, and have newer roles thrust
upon them with little consideration of their ability to support their inclusion.
In particular, lakes have now been looked upon as tourist attractions, with potential for
development of water sports, angling and lake tours. While tourism activities are
generally non-consumptive of impounded water, and thus do not detract from the original
function of the reservoir in that regard, attendant issues such as sewage, sullage and
solid waste generated from these activities have become cause for concern, causing
pollution and proliferation of water weeds.
Another role that many reservoirs are now expected to support is aquaculture,
specifically cage culture. Cages can generate effluent, and if flushing rates are limited,
lead to localised eutrophication. The presence of cages and the effluent they generate
24
detracts from the aesthetic qualities of the lake and conflicts with its use as a tourism
product.
The totality of functions these lakes support, or are expected to support in the future,
have not been fully quantified, though there have been some sporadic studies. The
absence of such studies has stymied a cost-benefit approach to lake development. In
addition, such studies would also underscore the extent to which these lakes are central
to the economy of the areas in which they are located and the extent to which local
communities are dependent on their health.
3.1 Taking Care of a Valuable Resource – where do we stand?
Having established the value and importance of lakes to ourselves – whether at a
national or personal level – it only needs to be asked how well we manage it.
This answer can be drawn from the summary of issues and challenges provided
in Table 3.
The answer in brief, is that, the problems facing our lakes are immense and our
successes in managing them, somewhat limited. Having said that, it is not all
doom and gloom, where lake management is concerned. Table 3 brings to the
fore certain key control points that need to be addressed in bring Malaysian lake
management in line with sustainable management principles.
25
Table 2: Assets and Functions of Selected Lakes in Malaysia No. Lake Function and Assets
Drink- ing
Water
Hydro electri-
city
Irriga- tion
Bio Diver- sity
Water Sports
and Recrea-
tion
Fishing- Arte- sinal
Fishing- Rec-
reational
Aqua culture
Eco tourism
Heritage
1. Timah Tasoh + + + + + +
2. Terip + 3. Bukit
Merah + + + + + + + +
4. Loagan Bunut + + + +
5. Kenyir + + + + + + + + + + 6. Chini + + + + + 7. Pedu/
Muda + + + + + + +
8. Putra Jaya + + + +
26
Table 3: Summary of Issues/Challenges Facing Selected Lakes in Malaysia No. Lake Issues/Challenges
Unplanned Catch- ment
Develop Ment
Pollu- tion
Proliferation
of Aqua-
tic Weeds
Endan- gered/
Declin-ing Biodiversity
Alien Invasive Species
Sedimentation
Declining fish catch
Absence of an
overall ILBM based
management plan
Impair ment of lakeside commu
nity values
Absence of a Central manage
ment Authority
1. Timah Tasoh + + + DNA DNA + DNA + DNA +
2. Terip DNA DNA DNA + 3. Bukit Merah + + + + DNA + DNA + + 4. Loagan
Bunut + + DNA + DNA + + + +
5. Kenyir + + + + + + 6. Chini + + + + + + + + + 7. Pedu/
Muda + + DNA DNA DNA DNA DNA + DNA +
8. Putra Jaya + + + DNA DNA + DNA + DNA
DNA = Data Not Available
27
(a) Unplanned Catchment Development Was the Most Pervasive Issue facing
Malaysian lakes
All lakes suffered from the inability of authorities to see lake health as a function
of catchment health. The upstream development of the catchment in all lakes,
however laudable in themselves ended up affecting the lakes of which they were
a part. The impacts of unplanned lake development usually lead to sedimentation
or pollution. Pollution issues were raised for almost all the lakes described.
Pollution mainly came from sullage and sewage discharges and nutrient run-offs
from agriculture and land clearing activities.
Future development will exacerbate the problems at hand. For instance, the
development of a large swath of the Bukit Merah catchment for animal production
can potentially affect water quality in the reservoir if not properly mitigated.
(b) The Majority of the Lakes Did Not Have an ILBM based Management Plan
Outside Loagan Bunut and Putrajaya lake, none of the other reservoirs and lakes
had ILBM based management plans i.e. there was no common platform to which
management agency agencies could subscribe to. While Loagan Bunut did have
a management plan, these were not based totally on ILBM principles, addressing
only the lake and its immediate surrounds but not the lake basin itself. The
closest that came to a ILBM compliant management plan was that employed by
the Putrajaya lake. Putrajaya’s success is often attributed to the fact that its
managers were adequately funded. While clearly this is true, it is also important
that the lake’s basin, which falls in the Selangor state, has been largely sustained
by the planning regimes employed by the Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (LUAS)
(please refer to Appendix II).
LUAS is a state agency that actively advocates and pursues a basin
management approach where development of Selangor’s water resources is
concerned. The agency’s role in the sustainable development of the larger basin
within which the Putrajaya lake has been a crucial factor in management of the
water body. Given the fragmented institutional environment that confronts lake
28
management throughout the county, LUAS is a useful model for other states to
emulate.
( c) Most did not have a central management authority
Only Putrajaya, Kenyir, Terip and Loagan Bunut had a designated central
management authority. Even then the authority did not extend to the upper
catchment of the respective lakes.
Given the overwhelming tide of problems that Malaysian lakes face, it becomes
easy to disregard its successes. The most successful lake management was in
Terip, which ranked lowest on issues faced. Its success can be attributed to the
following:
o Clear functional goals. Terip was a water supply reservoir and no other
function was attributed to it.
o Clear management goals. The reservoir was managed in relation to water
supply. Its managers were not burdened with additional goals, for which
they were ill-prepared.
o Single management authority. The lake was managed by Syarikat Air
Negeri Sembilan Sdn. Bhd., the state-owned company licensed to
undertake water supply.
o Comity of Action. This basically means there is a consensus among all
agencies that controlled the lake and the land surrounding it on the
manner on which their actions pertaining to catchment is to be guided.
The example of Terip clearly underscores the fact that sustainable management
is not some kind of rocket science that is beyond us. Indeed, much of the
institutional and regulatory infrastructure is already in place, though some
tweaking is no doubt required. What is required is the will to work together in
29
concert, defining collectively what we want to achieve and how, for sustainability
to be the centerpiece of our efforts.
4.0 The Way Forward
The previous section sets the pace for the way forward. We don’t have one lake in the
country. What we have are dozens of lakes, of different sizes and shapes. We have
millions who depend on those lakes. We have heritage values over some of the lakes. In
short, our lake resources are diverse and dispersed.
As exemplified by the 8 lakes described in this document, the core issue still remains in
the lack of an integrated governance framework that would view the lake and its basin as
a single management entity. Managers are hamstrung particularly by the absence of
data on the health of the water bodies under their control. Without such data, managers
are unable to assess the health of the resource at hand, and consequently, prescribe
effective solutions to overcome them. Indeed any discussion of management is futile in
the absence of appropriate data.
The issue of data is symptomatic of the fact that most of the lakes described lack
integrated management plans to ensure their sustainability and appropriate governance
mechanisms to ensure their implementation. The LUAS model is a step in the right
direction and it is hoped that it will become a template for other states to emulate.
In short, there is need for a common platform that all those who manage these lakes can
subscribe to. It must be accepted that we are a federated nation and institutional
fragmentation will always be with us. However, common consensus will draw institutions
to the same goal.
Towards this end, the strategies that have been formulated towards integrating efforts to
manage lakes on a more rational basis should serve to set the stage for a more
comprehensive and holistic management of our lake resources.
5.0 Acknowledgment
30
NAHRIM and ASM would like to express our sincere appreciation to the agencies that
own or manage the eight lakes (Bukit Merah, Chini, Kenyir, Timah Tasoh, Putrajaya,
Loagan Bunut, Pedu-Muda and Terip) for their support and cooperation given to us as
secretariats in completing the first phase of lake brief programme in Malaysia.
A special thanks to these individuals who have played such an important role in
information gathering, write-up phase and completion of lake brief for the eight lakes, for
their commitments, efforts and time:
a) Dr. Alexander K. Sayok, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Sapuan Ahmad,
Sulaiman Jambahari and Johing Ngayop (Sarawak Department of Forest);
Loagan Bunut,
b) Ir Hor Tek Lip, Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) ;
Pedu-Muda Lake,
c) Prof. Dato’ Mushrifah Idris, The National University of Malaysia (UKM) ;
Tasik Chini,
d) Ir. Hidzrami bin Shamsul Anwar, Kerian District Bagan Serai Department of
Irrigation and Drainage (DID); Bukit Merah Lake
e) Prof. Dr. Fatimah Md. Yusoff, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Zukaimi Ahmad
(KETENGAH) and Nik Nabeelah binti Nik Ibrahim (TNB); Kenyir Lake,
f) Prof. Dr. Wan Ruslan Ismail, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM);
Timah Tasoh Lake
g) Mr. Akashah Hj Majizat, Environment Lake and Wetland Division, Perbadanan
Putrajaya ; Putrajaya Lake
h) Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan Sdn. Bhd.; Terip Lake
Appendix 1
31
ASM Task Force on ILBM
28th September 2010
Gap Analysis by Prof. Dr. Nakamura (Tasik Chini and Tasik Bukit Merah)
New interface of research cooperation with Malaysian government
Gap analysis is not too difficult if we know where we are and where to go. Success of
gap analysis depends on also socio-economic factors besides of lake knowledge. 6 pillars seem to be going on well. 2 cases I have been reviewed have done a good job.
Situation of Lake Chini is serious. Intervention is heard between the canal and the lake. There are also illegal logging and mining activities. The issues are sometimes overlooked. Those are needed to be involved in decision making.
More comprehensive analysis of all 6 pillars is necessary. Regulating services of ecosystem services is especially important. For the 4 types of ecosystem services, industries in Malaysia have been gaining resource provision services. But there are resource services have associated with tourism, livelihood of indigenous people. Those are related to regulation services, such as food chain. It is difficult to transfer these values in economic system by themselves. Regulation services are crucial for resource provision services. This is the key for Lake Chini.
We need to take it as a national issue but not only the lake-basin and local state. Economy development and lake conservation need to be balanced, especially for Lake Chini case. Intangible value is important but difficult to be valued and the consensus is therefore important for policy making in the national government level, as a decision to balance with national economic policies.
How that can be done in terms of institution, participation, policy aspects? That is the immediate challenge for Lake Chini. Unless looking at the entire Pekan river system, and gradually catching the long-term view, it is not possible to take care of the fundamental issues. Without knowing the silt it is difficult to know how much impact for the lake in a long term. This should therefore be regarding as a long term issue, especially in terms of regulation services, in land, fishery, water supply.
For Lake Merah, the conflict is among provisional services themselves comparing with provisional services and regulation services. The entry point to resolve the conflict seems to be gained from participants’ consensus in the pillars of participation, policy, institution. The time is right for the participants to come together and decide what the public in general on what is the priority use of the resource value there beside of water supply. In terms of water quality, it is not so much an issue but the quantity issue. Whether sand extraction and mining is important is unsure, because the state has enough revenue from private sectors. Therefore it is necessary for the government to re-consider whether it is necessary to ask all the parties to improve water quality, ecosystem services in the mouth of the river instead of sand mining.
32
That is to decide the priority use of the resources. One complicated aspect is the jurisdiction of entities and direct control is not in place. These policies and institutional conflicts can be addressed given the comprehensive picture. With the lake brief, it is clearer to view the issues and search for possible directions for solutions. Especial that a common table is not easier to create comparing with the previous sectoral picture.
The gap analysis is also to look at communities and their activities with the issues that are commonly faced by the communities. Conclusion is that the lake brief is very good in facilitating information for making the platform useful for next year’s work. Lake Chini is really on regulation services, and Lake Merah is on resource provision conflicts. To get priority setting and involvement of public is not limited on sand mining and resort themselves.
Gap Analysis by Prof. Dr. Walter Rast (Tasik Kenyir and Loagan Bunut)
Most issues are reviewed by Dr. Nakamura. One neglected issue is usually that ILBM is difficult to implement, as a concept in need of various fields. Ecosystem services with the notion of lake brief has been created to pull people’s senses on resource provision services. However regulation service is even more crucial.
My questions are on PPT presentation. The general descriptions on lakes and reservoirs are provided, as to support science as one pillar. It would be important to see nutrient contents etc to guide understanding. How can we use the information, especially one obvious issue of tourism with the sustainable quality to maintain and the mutual positive feedback on the environment quality and tourism development.
Another particular is on institution. Synergy is the impression that is given to the public but the inner content is not apparent. Another aspect is politicians and the effectiveness of policies. Another challenge that I caught was the coordination of institution.
The conclusion that good governance is addressed while sustainability especially on finance is also addressed. Some cultural services are also mentioned, besides of regulation and resource provision services. It is difficult to see the actual causes in practice and how sustainable is each proposed solution needs evaluation.
Management plans are mentioned with a long list of contents. That is good information to know. I am impressed by the efforts on lake management in Malaysia here.
33
Appendix 2 Gap Analysis by Dr. Low Kwai Sim (Tasik Putrajaya and Tasik Muda-Pedu)
Review
Chapter ElementsReview (Gaps in information)
(Muda and Pedu Lakes)
Putrajaya Lake
1. Introduction Socio-economic context
Location Importance of the
lake and its drainage basin
2. Description of the Lake
Overview The profile and
characteristics Situational
descriptions Benefits and losses
derived from the lake management
34
ReviewChapter Elements
Review
(Muda and Pedu Lakes) Putrajaya Lake
3. Management of the Lake and Its Basin
Divided into two parts:
(a) Resource use and management
(b) Conflict resolution
(a) Three key questions: Major use and how they
were exploited Major socio-economic and
political implications on the drainage population
What are the resource use conflicts and how are they managed – their stories.
(b) Conflict resolution Stakeholders’ perception of
the overall lake resource use. Are their perceptions consistent with scientific findings.
What are the apparent/non-apparent root causes?
Who and what suffer from the impacts arising from the problems?
Main use: irrigation and some for domestic supply to northern Kedah, Langkawi and Perlis
Other uses: aquaculture Basin: forest products –
honey and forest products
Two types of stakeholders direct stakeholders – (6) Indirect stakeholders who
derive benefits from the water in the lakes (3 – DID, SADA and MADA farmers)
Farmers and fishermen are NGOs and have no role in the management of the lakes and basins.
More discussions needed in Section (b).
Concentration on the lakes for ecology, aesthetics and recreation and tourism.
Conflicts occur mainly of the 30% land in the upstream lake basin contributing silt and pollutants into the lake.
More discussions on how to resolve the issues.
35
ReviewChapter Elements
Review
(Muda and Pedu Lakes) Putrajaya Lake
4. Major Impact Stories
Refer mainly to human interventions dealing with the challenges faced by the lakes and the basin or faced by the drainage population.
Eg provided:
Engagement of political leaders and civil society
Policy frameworks that enhance cross-sectoral coordination
Institutions that address specific needs in resource development, use and conservation
4 major impact stories cited which are challenging:
resort development fishing and aquaculture underwater logging in Pedu minor development or
illegal/uncoordinated activities in the basin
Major gaps: need discussions on policy and cross-sectoral coordination
Each department is carrying out their own portfolio functions irrespective of the other stakeholders and departments. Need more discussions on this. Can a co-ordination committee be formed to co-ordinate as in Kenyir Lake?
Putrajaya Lake represents a success story.
Reason: a concerted effort (political, management and administrative) that oversees the implementation of all the programmes as laid down in the Putrajaya Masterplan
Have an in-house dedicated administrative and research team in daily operations
Result: Very well managed lake
Any conflicts: yes, as indicated in the paper because of upstream-downstream impacts.
36
ReviewChapter Elements
Review(Muda and Pedu Lakes) Putrajaya Lake
5. Major Lake Basin Governance Issues (1)
Key players
Existing legal and policy basis
Plans and policies introduced for managing lakes and the lake basins
Role of the general public and NGOs in managing lakes
5 direct stakeholders: S.Forestry Dept, S. Wildlife Dept, S. Fisheries Dept, S District Office and MADA.
No single organization for overall management
Sectoral governing legislations and regulations.
Basins are in Rank 1 in the NPP where logging, development or agriculture are not permitted except for low impact tourism, research and education.
In reality: they have to:1. Control public access – basins
gazetted as non restricted areas 2. Prevent illegal logging3. Control collection of forest produce4. Prevent poaching of wildlife5. Enforcing the methods of fishing in
the lakes Farmers and fishermen are NGOs
and have no role in the management of the lakes and basins.
Lake: I major stakeholder – PjC
Basin: 7 major stakeholders
Single organization to look after the Lake but not the Basin
Lake: Lake Management Guidelines; very effective for the lake and wetlands.
Basin: Catchment Management Guidelines. Not effective in areas outside the Putrajaya administrative areas
Not much information here
37
Review
Chapter ElementsReview
(Muda and Pedu Lakes) Putrajaya Lake
5. Major Lake Basin Governance Issues (2)
Major control measures introduced/challenges
Major financial mechanisms used to facilitate the control measures
Key challenges in: Formation of State Park Formation of high
conservation value forest (HCVF)
MInimising the impacts of development
Preservation of the eco-system and biodiversity
Not discussed, and this section is very important in view of the challenges faced in going forward to manage the lakes and the basin sustainably in the long-term.
Key challenges in: to ensure lake water quality
meets the required standards for body contact
Catchment management –to protect the water quality and quality
Best management practices
Maintenance of wetlands as a first line of defence against pollutants from outside the administrative area.
The financial aspects not discussed. As this is a well managed lake, good to have an indication of the costs.
38
ReviewChapter Elements
Review
(Muda and Pedu Lakes) Putrajaya Lake
6. Key Lake Basin Governance Challenges
Will attempts be made to establish sustainable institutions to address multi-national, multi-issues and multi-stakeholder interest
Any emergence of political interest and/or commitment to manage the lake more sustainably and the reasons?
Any efforts for new legislative framework and/or policies?
Stakeholder participation Are there plans and
programmes developed to strengthen linkages with the broader national and regional water resources management efforts?
Incorporation of scientific information and research results
Financing and subsidizing mechanisms?
This section seems to have been merged with Chapter 5 when the key challenges were presented.
This has not been fully articulated.
This is one of the gaps in information regarding whether there is a need for a new legislative framework since there is mention of no single agency that is responsible for managing the lakes and the basin.
Not stated
There are attempts to resolve multi-stakeholders issues.
Already inherent in the continual management of the lake.
Already exist but not fully discussed.
Recognised the major stakeholders but need more discussions.
Not fully explored.
Not stated
Not stated
39
Appendix 3 Gap Analysis by P. Loganathan (Tasik Terip and Tasik Timah Tasoh)
SUNGAI TERIP RESERVOIR AND TIMAH TASOH RESERVOIR Lake Description Timah Tasoh Reservoir Sungai Terip Reservoir
1. Basic Information
1.1 Name(s) 1.2 Location
1.2.1 Latitude (range from West to East)
1.2.2 Longitude (range from South to North)
1.2.3 Elevation of water surface (relative to mean sea level)
1.3 Origin 1.4 Basin and/or Watershed Map(s)
1.4.1 Major inflowing and out-flowing rivers
1.4.2 Main cities and other relevant points of interest in the basin
1.5 Basin Demography, Map(s) 1.5.1 Population numbers, density and
distribution 1.5.2 Other relevant information
(maps and other resource materials containing geographical, demographical,
Partial paper provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
No full paper provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided (in brief)
Provided (in brief)
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
40
land use, geohydrological information for the lake and its basin and/or watershed, etc.)
1.6 Landscape and Waterscape 1.6.1 Visual features of the lake and
its basin (photos of various kinds, including landscape, physical facilities, water quality problems, land and water uses in the riparian and upstream regions, biological and ecosystem conditions, including unique fauna and flora, etc.
2.0 Morphology 2.1 Bathymetric Map (if available) 2.2 Lake Volume (km3) 2.3 Lake Surface Area (km2) 2.4 Lake Length and Width (km) 2.5 Length of Lake Shoreline (in km)
2.6 Maximum Depth (m) 2.7 Mean Depth (m) 2.8 Intra- and inter-annual changes in
water level and volume; and water level changes due to flow regulation, if available
3. Water Balance
3.1 Inflows (annual average, expressed in
Provided
Provided (in brief)
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
41
m3/year)
3.1.1 Precipitation 3.1.2 Rivers (including indication if
they are controlled) 3.1.3 Groundwater 3.1.4 Water diversions
3.2 Outflows (annual average, expressed in m3/year)
3.2.1 Evaporation 3.2.2 Rivers (including indication if
they are controlled) 3.2.3 Groundwater 3.2.4 Water diversions
3.3 Water Retention Times (in years, if information is available) 3.3.1 Theoretical filling time (lake
volume/annual inflow) 3.3.2 Theoretical flushing time (lake
volume/annual outflow) 3.3.3 Information on Any Long-Term
Changes
4. Climate
4.1 Monthly Average, Minimum and Maximum Temperature (OC)
4.2 Monthly Average, Minimum and Maximum Precipitation (mm)
4.3 Prevailing wind directions by season; wind strength
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4.4 Seasonal and Inter-annual Variability (description)
5. State of Ecosystem
5.1 Description of State of Ecological Health, including Conservation of Fauna & Flora
5.2 Description of State of Biodiversity Conservation
6. Physical Characteristics
6.1 Water Temperature
6.1.1 Versus time 6.1.2 Versus depth
6.2 Freezing Period and Extent of Freezing
6.3 Lake Mixing
6.3.1 Vertical 6.3.2 Horizontal (main bays and sub-
basins of lake) 6.3.3 Lake Stratification (Period and
Extent of Stratification)
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43
7. Chemical Data
7.1 Concentration (general chemical water quality, including state of eutrophication (e.g., oxygen demand; nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations (organic, inorganic, particulate, and total, if available); salinity; organic and inorganic chemical pollution)
7.2 Pollutant Loadings (tons/year) from Rivers, Groundwater and the Atmosphere
8. Biotic Data (Main Species, Exotic Species, Productivity Changes Over Time)
8.1 Overall state of lake ecosystem, including biodiversity
8.2. Phytoplankton; zooplankton; fish 8.3. Benthos; avifauna 8.4. Linkages (e.g., briefly describe the
ecosystem/biodiversity issues in general in regard to littoral wetlands, rivers, atmosphere (birds, etc.)
9. State of the Lake Basin 9.1 Description of Catchment Area
(including size (km2); general geography of the region in relation to lake and other neighboring water bodies (e.g., other lakes connected in
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44
cascade); catchment (draining-in) system; catchment area of out-flowing river (draining-out) system)
9.2 Basin Hydrology (briefly describe basin hydrology, including active and non-active parts)
9.3 Soil Types (refer to soil map, if available)
9.4 Land Cover, including Changes Over time (briefly describe seasonal land-use changes, via reference to land use map)
9.5 Sub-surface Drainage (briefly describe underground water flows, referring to hydrographical and hydrological maps, if available)
10. Uses of the Lake and Its Resource Development Facilities
10.1 Water
10.1.1 Flood/drought control facilities
10.1.2 Drinking water withdrawals and facilities
10.1.3 Agricultural water withdrawals and facilities
10.1.4 Industrial water withdrawals and facilities
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45
10.2 Fisheries and Facilities
10.3 Tourism Facilities
10.4 Other Uses
11. Impairments to Lake Resource Uses
11.1 Increased Algal Growth
11.2 Increased Salinity
11.3 Destruction of Wetlands
11.4 Declining Fish Stocks
11.5 Other Impairments
12. Causes of Impairments
12.1 Upper-watershed Degradation (including erosion and siltation)
12.2 Point and Non-point Source Runoff from Urban Areas
12.3 Shoreline Degradation and Alterations
12.4 Other Impairments
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46
13. Structural Management Response
13.1 Sewerage Systems
13.2 Industrial Wastewater Treatment Systems
13.3 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Systems
13.4 Other Relevant Systems
14. Non-structural Management Responses
14.1 Rules 14.1.1 Informal (informal community
rules; voluntary restrictions) 14.1.2 Formal (industrial effluent
regulations; protected areas (land use restrictions, ecological reserves); etc.)
14.2 Economic Incentives (subsidies, taxes, etc.)
14.3 Awareness Raising (public awareness, including environmental education, environmental campaigns, activities of environmental NGOs and CBOs, etc.)
15. Socioeconomic Information (partial duplication of item 1.5
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47
above) 15.1 Population Dynamics (numbers,
distribution, main cities, percent urban/rural, etc.)
15.2 Education (extent and types of education, literacy rates, etc.)
15.3 Culture (languages, ethnicities, including indigenous peoples, religion, legends and beliefs about the lake)
15.4 Economic Sectors (major industries and production statistics; regional economic development issues, including transportation, commerce sectors, livelihood issues in different parts of lake basin (i.e., coastal, upland and upper watershed regions; Gross National Income per capita within basin [noting also how it might differ from national average(s)])
48
Appendix II LUAS Model – comprehensive data on ponds, reservoirs, lakes and ex-mining ponds in Selangor.
Province
No. of ponds/reservoirs/lakes
Names of
ponds/reservoirs/lakes
Areas
(hectare)
Distance from river (m)
Volume
(m3)
Nearest
Water Intake
Land Status
Water Quality Analysis
(Accredited Lab/Chemistry Department)
Suitability with Selangor State Development Committee’s Rules and Conditions
Notes