Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia

Many small islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia have become wellknown destinations both to foreign as well as local tourists. However, as tourism authorities, hotels and tour operators increasingly focus on mass tourism and economics, environmental degradation and other issues are affecting tourism negatively. In recent decades, Malaysia has realised the need for protection of environmental attractions and has embarked on many conservation programmes, but most of them are ad hoc and not sustained. This article examines how tourists perceive environmental conservation, willingness to pay, reasons for coming, length of stay, favourite destinations, favourite activities, etc. The results of questionnaire interviews show that small islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia are currently facing serious environmental degradation, with little or no comprehensive conservation, poor enforcement, with no clearcut vision from the authorities as to their future. The study shows that there is a need for a well-planned vision of development for the small islands and stricter control from the authorities. Without better control and implementation of a vision of sustainable development, it is envisaged that these small islands will continue to deteriorate and lose their glamour and attractions gradually. They need to be conserved and stay competitive to survive, given the competition from islands in neighbouring countrie

A Comparative Study Of The Mean And Median Rainfall Patterns In Northwest Peninsular Malaysia.

Most rainfall studies in Malaysia have used the mean to represent the average rainfall characteristics of the respective regions under study

Spatial inequalities in Malaysia’s non-revenue water rates issues, challenges and management strategies

In Malaysia, high non-revenue water (NRW) rate is amongst the country’s top water issues. NRW rates of all states in the country vary greatly, with the rates ranging from 18.2 to 62.4 per cent. This huge spatial variation is due to variations in management efficiency of the water operator, amount of funding for NRW reduction programme and level of public awareness. This paper aims to examine the effect of the spatial inequality on NRW management in Malaysia’s states by comparing NRW rates between states with different area sizes. The study is mainly based on literature review and secondary data. The results show that states with smaller surface areas recorded lower NRW rates but the smallest state was found to record the highest NRW rate. Factors such as service’s coverage area, population density, water supply network density, dispersal of the city area, and location of the water users, and type of water users also have significant impacts on NRW management. For example, high water supply network density, poor water resources availability and high demand in Penang have forced the state’s water operator to increase its efficiency in NRW management. In contrast, low water demand, low population density, and less commercial area in Perlis are found to be the reasons of high NRW rate in the state. In conclusion, spatial factors can impact NRW as smaller states can better manage NRW due to the smaller water service areas covered. However, states cannot use size of service area and spatial variations as excuses for high NRW as the study found that adequate funding, proper planning, effective management, efficient service, and proactive strategies of water operator are more important factors that can have significant impacts on the NRW rates

Sustainable Management Of Rivers In Malaysia Involving All Stakeholders.

A11 over the world, including Malaysia, management of rivers is a central issue in this 21st Century. While government has always been traditionally entrusted with the responsibility of managing rivers, increasingly, the public, NGOs, industrialists, famers, and other stakeholders are playing a greater role

Hydrodynamic Behaviour Change Due To Channel Modification At Rambai River Outlet Juru River Basin Penang.

Rambai Valley a partially urbanized and flood prone coastal plain located in the State of Penang

A study of river management models in Malaysia.

Rivers provide water supply, irrigation, transportation, food, and other natural functions. In Malaysia, rapid development in recent decades has overstressed river systems leading to inadequate water supply, pollution and floods. Disintegrated management via the sectoral approach was found to have given rise to ineffective river management in most states. Disputes between various levels of government, competition between different government bodies and the low salience given to river conservation exacerbates the problem. This study is based on a survey of river users, government officers and NGO managers. Study methods include institutional analysis, river mapping, secondary data and questionnaire survey. It found that there is not one existing river management model that is effective. Most states manage rivers poorly via the top-down government-centric model without involving the stakeholders

Understanding Public Perception of and Participation in Non-Revenue Water Management in Malaysia to Support Urban Water Policy

In contextualising the serious water loss, inefficient resource utilization, and ineffective water utility management in Malaysia, the objective of this study is to understand the public’s perception of non-revenue water (NRW) management in order to provide policy inputs, and to determine ways to improve public participation in NRW reduction. Findings reveal that there is currently only meagre public participation in NRW management in Malaysia, with a majority of the respondents demonstrating a lack of knowledge and awareness on NRW; over-dependence on water utility and government agencies in reducing NRW rates; and failure to submit a report when a leaking pipe is noticed. Educating the public on the importance of reducing NRW and promoting public interests and concerns around water tariffs, is essential to improve NRWreductions in Malaysia. Community-led strategies to better engage the public in addressing NRW-related issues have to be enhanced. To this end, concrete policy implications derived from the findings of the study are outlined

Water Governance in Bangladesh: An Evaluation of Institutional and Political Context

Water crises are often crises of governance. To address interrelated issues of securing access to sustainable sources of safe water for the world’s populations, scholar and practitioners have suggested fostering improved modes of water governance that support the implementation of integrated water resource management (IWRM). Recently, implementation of an IWRM approach was announced as a target for achieving Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study employs an analytical hierarchy process with a SWOT analysis to assess the current institutional and political context of water governance in Bangladesh and evaluate IWRM as a means to achieve the SDGs

Community Resilience Building in the Aftermath of Flood Disaster

In the world, natural disasters are unpredictable, but communities can reduce the threat if they are prepared in advance. Increasing community resilience has been identified as a key component of disaster management, risk reduction and vulnerability reduction efforts. Flooding in Malaysia is a serious threat to communities and livelihoods. Enhancing community resilience is the key to reducing exposure to flood hazards. The main objectives of this study are (1) to identify the vulnerability of communities to floods, and (2) to study how communities can build resilience against floods. The methodology involves a quantitative questionnaire survey of a sample of 100 households, selected through random sampling technique. Qualitative in-depth interviews were also used for selected households. The findings revealed that victims who are experienced are better prepared as they use a complete preparation procedure, evacuate earlier before the flood water level rises, have adequate emergency money-savings, build or modify their house into a floating house (raft house) and other flood-proofing methods, and store adequate emergency supplies. These experienced victims have built up their resilience to floods. In contrast, victims who are inexperienced do not practice these strategies and are therefore highly vulnerable. In conclusion, this study recommends building flood victims’ individual resilience as well as improvement in social, economic, institutional and physical resilience of communities through preparedness, awareness, and adaptation to face floods

Convectional Influences on The Weather Pattern of Northern Sri Lanka

There are three precipitation processes, such as monsoon circulation, frontal process, and the convectional process that influence the rainfall of the Northern region of Sri Lanka. Several natural and anthropogenic factors influence the weather pattern of the study area. Even though, recently, convectional influences on the weather pattern are vital. This paper examines the importance of the convectional process in the weather pattern of the Northern Region of Sri Lanka. The main objective of this paper is, to identify the influence of the convectional process in the weather pattern of Northern Sri Lanka. This study uses meteorological data such as rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure. The data were analysed employing the descriptive statistical method using average, standard deviation, and trend analysis via Microsoft Excel worksheet, and results were mapped using Arc Map 11.2 version. Results show that there are significant influences of the convection process in the weather pattern of the study area. Convection contributes more than 38% of the total rainfall, and this is the leading cause of rainfall during the first inter-monsoon season (FIMS) and the southwest monsoon season (SWMS). The Convectional process is also the primary cause for the variations in the temperature range between day and night during March, April, May, June, July, and August. Convection creates an unstable evaporation rate, which leads to the high rates of relative humidity in the nights during the FIMS. Convectional processes contributing to the unstable atmospheric pressure and resulted in unexpected weather disturbance in the study area