Towards safe and clean rivers for Sarawak

Our clean rivers do not happen by accident. They used to be so dirty, the murky flowing waters convenient waste disposal outlets. Now, our rivers are so clean, clear of unsightly floating waste and its scenic surrounding the subject of many brochures and posters selling Sarawak tourism attractions.

Our clean rivers are the result the relentless effort of the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) to ensure that our rivers are clear of waste and protected from pollution.

Established in October 1993 under The Sarawak Rivers Ordinance, 1993, this statutory body is mainly responsible for the control and regulation of water traffic in ports and harbours or on rivers wholly within Sarawak and in itsf foreshore. SRB under the purview of the Ministry Infrastructure Development Communications, Sarawak.

Among the functions of the Board are:

 to plan the Development and Improvement of the River Transport System,
 to Control and Regulate Traffic in the rivers,
 to keep the river Clean,
 to determine the most suitable methods for Protection, Restoration and Development of rivers and its banks,
 to improve Navigability of the rivers with suitable navigation aids,
 to provide landing facilities such as wharves, jetties and such for passengers and coastal cargo landing terminal,
 to prevent the obstruction of the river's waterways,
 to make recommendation on the safety of vessels to prevent collision/ accident in the river and,
 to carry out duties as the State Government may require from time to time.

Public Education on Clean Rivers

Recognizing that public involvement is crucial to preserving clean and safe rivers, the SRB regularly carries out public awareness campaigns to educate the people on the need to preserve and protect our rivers.

"Love our rivers", SRBss ongoing advocacy programme, aims to promote the peoples sense of accountability and responsibility towards our rivers. To meet this objective, aggressive campaigns targeting specific groups were carried out.

In 2003, SRB executed 24 programmes designed to promote the conservation and rehabilitation of Sarawak rivers, as well as the prevention of river pollution. These programmes included public awareness and education, river rehabilitation and beautification, river conservation, river cleaning and clearing activities.

Primary targets of these campaigns were the river bank communities and longhouses statewide, as well as school children.

Future programmes to be carried out this year are

i. River Watch Program - a community based programme to educate the public on the shared responsibility to preserve a balanced river eco-system.
ii. Training of staff and local leaders,
iii. Beautifying Village Riverbank Competition,
iv. River Expedition / Exploration,
v. River cleaning- removing of wreckage, impediments and natural refuse.

All these programmes will be conducted in collaboration with relevant government departments, community leaders, students, NGOs and the riverine
communities.

Creating awareness on clean rivers among the rural folks

Ensuring Safe Passage

Another key task of the SRB is to ensure smooth flow of traffic and safe passage in our rivers. The Board thus allocates a significant amount of money
to clear our rivers of navigation impediments. To date, the SRB has spent RM2.7 million for removal and disposal of 126 wrecks. Another 379 wrecks have been identified for which SRB will need to spend an additional RM5 million to remove them.

The clearing of these wrecks is expected to be completed by 2005.

To enhance traffic safety in the in all navigable rivers, installation of Riverine Traffic Signages in the form of mandatory signs, prohibitory signs, restrictive
signs, informative signs, warning and danger marks is also being carried out at strategic points throughout the state.

In 2004, a budget of RM300,000.00 is allocated by the State Government to install signs at remaining gazetted Anchorage Areas.

Landing Facilities for Cargo and Passenger

SRB currently manages 83 facilities in the form of wharves and jetties to facilitate movements of passengers and cargoes in the State. Last year, a sum of RM1.3 million was allocated for maintenance of these facilities. Under the 8MP, a sum of RM26 million was allocated to upgrade our wharves and jetties to promote the use the inland waterways as a transport mode of choice for modern Sarawak.

Enforcement of River Safety Regulations

Under section 14 of Sarawak River Ordinance 1993, all commercial boats are required to have a valid RTP from the SRB. This permit is a statutory requirement to be carried on board the vessels plying the waterways of Sarawak. As at 31st December 2003, a total of 3,297 vessels are registered with RTP throughout Sarawak. There are currently 362 registered passenger express vessels operating in Sarawak.

To ensure river safety at all times, enforcement activities are carried out from time to time especially during the peak seasons. In 2003 alone, seven operations involving 70 enforcement officers equipped with eight high-speed enforcement boats, were conducted. A total of 45 compound notices were issued on traffic offences and about RM7,400.00 worth of fines were collected.

Monitoring of riverbank industries are also done regularly to ensure that they do not pollute the rivers. A total of sixty-two (62) inspections on industries operating along the rivers were conducted in 2003. These measures are necessary to ensure all industries sited near the rivers are aware of their responsibilities towards the sustainable management of our rivers.

Leaders have a role to play in the awareness campaign

Strategic Alliances and Projects

SRB works closely with other government departments, private sector and nongovernmental organizations to ensure the long-term conservation of our rivers. One such strategic alliance The programs involves the mutual co-operation of the Government (SRB) and the boat operators to enhance the safety, cleanliness and the natural beauty of our river resources.

The SRB is also in charge of the Sungai Sarawak Barrage. The Barrage and Shiplock System was constructed by the State Government in 1997 to facilitate an efficient drainage and regulation scheme in the Sungai Sarawak basin. It also serves to regulate the water level of Sungai Sarawak in order to mitigate fluvial and tidal flooding in Kuching.

Another useful function of the Barrage is to prevent saline water intrusion into the fresh water intake at Batu Kitang, a major problem especially during king tides. Maintaining clean and safe rivers is a community effort. The lesser wepollute our rivers, the better it is for our environment. But we need to start somewhere and SRB is there to lead the way towards a sustainable river management.