Basic HTML Version
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G U I N N E S S A N C H O R B E R H A D
( 5 3 5 0 - X )
Our Commitment to Enriching Communities
CASE STUDY
Working Towards Cleaner Water
on Bio-Diversity Day
In conjunction with Biodiversity Day in May 2010,
20 GAB employees, through the GAB Foundation,
lent a hand to support the Sungai Pencala River
Restoration project which was held at the source
of the river in Bukit Kiara. The initiative led by GEC
saw volunteers create habitats for the fish in the
river, by making mini waterfalls to create ripples
and pools and remove sediment that had filled up
the river due to land slides, erosion and extensive
excavation in the surrounding Bukit Kiara area.
Other activities such as tree planting, tree tagging
and planting native herbs were also held to help
increase the biodiversity in and along the river.
A unique feature of the project was the involvement
of the Orang Asli at the first stage of the restoration
activity on Sungai Pencala, where they worked with
GEC to rid the river of rubbish and excess sediment
along the 300 metre stretch of river from its
source.
Sungai Pencala, which begins as a small trickle of
water at the top of the Bukit Kiara Hill, is the only
urban river in Malaysia where the water is pristine
and potable. The water is drinkable and classified
as Class I under the Department of Environment and
is regarded as a perfect site for an “Open Classroom”
to teach children and adults about natural rivers
and their importance for biodiversity. However, less
than one kilometre downstream, the water
deteriorates to Class IV which is classified as heavily
polluted based on the Water Quality Index (WQI).
The GAB Foundation’s support in the Sungai Pencala
River Restoration is part of its bigger commitment
to river rehabilitation. Together with GEC, the
Foundation members work to restore rivers under
the W.A.T.E.R. (Working Actively Through Education
and Rehabilitation) project.
GAB Foundation’s River Rehabilitation Project is a
3-year project with the aim of improving the water
quality of rivers, beginning with Sungai Way. Part
of the project’s activities comprises educating
the communities living within the area about the
importance of water, and why and how they can
conserve and protect its source.
To-date, the GAB Foundation has channelled
approximately RM550,000 into the river rehabilitation
project. It conducts training sessions for residents,
business partners and GAB employees, on recycling
and composting waste, as well as water quality
monitoring exercises.