Water is a critical resource for consumption and production as well as the environment in Penang. There are a broad range of water-related problems which occur due to improper management and inefficient use in Penang area including:
Pollution of streams and rivers from industrial and domestic pollution, solid waste, eroded soil from land clearing
Degradation of lakes and other water bodies
High levels of water use for domestic and industrial use
Reduction in quality of water supply
Inefficiency and wastage in water usage,
Lack of recreational areas with clean water resources
Flooding
Most water used in Penang are sourced from rivers. Rivers can also be an important asset for recreation and tourism – or if they are poorly managed a source of public health problems. Sg Pinang on Penang Island and Sg Juru on the mainland are significant rivers in in Penang which are both badly polluted. In oder to enhance community participation in river protection and rehabilitation in Penang, GEC and HSBC in collaboration have proposed a river rehabilitation project in Sg. Pinang in the duration of three years (year 2010-2013).
The overall objectives of this project are:
To enhance community participation in river protection and rehabilitation in Penang
To strengthen and expand the community river monitoring and protection activities in the Sg Pinang River Basin
Establish a number of River Ranger groups based in both schools and communities for monitoring and supporting the management and rehabilitation of targeted sections of the Sg Pinang River
Provide opportunities for the involvement of HSBC staff and customers on river monitoring and rehabilitation
Partners
The partners in the project implementation include:
HSBC* Staff and customers
DID Penang
State Education Department
Local NGO’s/CBO’s such as PeWOG, CENCED and Penang Water Watch.
*The HSBC staff and customers are expected to be from one or more of HSBC’s 4 branches in Penang ( Juru, Butterworth, Bayu Bay and Penang Downing Street).
Activities
The implementation of the program will start off with a one-day training session for community members including HSBC’s employees to facilitate their understanding and perception on river basin management, problems, issues and impacts in Malaysia. Other activities have include:
Cleanup and monitoring river activities
River walk
Pollution mapping
River bank beautification
Recycling and waste reduction
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