PETALING JAYA: River trails totalling 400km have been built throughout the country under the National River Trail Programme, the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) has revealed.

       The programme, launched last November, targets 1,000km of such trails to be completed by 2023 and 10,000km by 2030.

       DID director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohd Ghazali said a river trail was the development of a path along the alignment of a river, pond or body of water that served as a recreational area.

       “Walking around it while enjoying the fresh air and greenery of nature is not only refreshing, it is also a mechanism for the care and preservation of rivers from pollution activities,” he said during the presentation of the 2021 River Care Awards yesterday.

       There are 189 main river basins in the country, spanning a distance of 17,344km.

       Nor Hisham said the government, private sector, NGOs and community-based organisations played a role in ensuring that these natural treasures continue to be preserved and utilised by society.

       He said incidents of river pollution has affected thousands of people, and also hit various sectors of the national economy.

       “This shows the importance of cooperation from all stakeholders in curbing the problem of pollution.

       “The government’s intention to cultivate environmental care for future generations is strengthened by various programmes with local communities,” he said.

       The awards were organised by the National River Care Fund (NRCF), a small grant programme initiated by the Global Environment Centre (GEC).

       The fund has provided RM470,000 in grants and training to 45 community groups in carrying out river care activities since 2015.

       Awards were given to eight organisations – three educational institutions and five community based ones for work on sustainable river care and support for sustainable river basin management.

       They were selected from nominations of groups active in river protection or rehabilitation carried out over the past five years, involving projects established in partnership with the NRCF or GEC.

       The Champion of the Overall Category: Local Communities was Kelab Kebun Rumah Pangsa AU2 who impressed the four-member jury with their ongoing and sustained river and water conservation efforts within and around their urban community garden located near the Sungai Klang.

       Universiti Malaya’s Water Warriors won the Educational Institution category for their conservation of water bodies within their campus, including the restoration of Tasik Varsiti.