The FAO-ESCAP pilot project on national water visions. From vision ...

these institutions. <strong>The</strong> human resources of the institutions comprise inter-discipline water
professionals able to overcome present and future challenges in the national water sector.
‣ Pollution: Activities polluting water resources are monitored and corrected. Surveillance
of watersheds is assisted by remote-sensing techniques to detect illegal activities and
overcome water pollution problems. Polluted rivers are restored in stages with the
participation of all stakeholders. Awareness enhancement programmes are extended to the
riverine population and to the parties responsible for the polluting activities. <strong>The</strong>
‘polluters pay’ principle will be enforced. <strong>The</strong> programme of restoration of water
resources will only be successful if it begins at source, that is, with the control of
polluting sources.
‣ Groundwater: Groundwater exploration programmes will be carried out, especially in the
main river basins, to identify potential aquifers; aquifer zones will be identified and
protected to safeguard this important resource. Guidelines and appropriate laws will be
formulated and enforced to control development with potential polluting activities.
‣ Water demand management: Water resources management will emphasize demand
rather than supply management in order to reduce the exploitation of new water sources
to meet increasing water demand. Water demand management encompasses the activities
undertaken to increase the efficiency of water supply and water usage and the promotion
of water recycling. Incentives will be given to industries that practice water reuse since
they contribute directly to water demand management and the reduction of effluents. New
housing, commercial and industrial estates shall be fitted with water-saving devices
including rainwater harvesting devices and the implementation of the new drainage
philosophy of zero peak flow contribution from developed areas.
‣ Research and development: R&D activities in the water sector are to be enhanced. A
centre has been established to coordinate R&D activities, provide direction and
allocations for research and act as the national database and reference centre. <strong>The</strong> centre
is staffed with water professionals from different disciplines and incentives are provided
to induce the best local and foreign water professionals to work there.
With respect to the Malaysian experience on integrated water resources management (IWRM),
performance indicators for water sector policies are under development, especially on key
issues such as efficiency (productivity of water) or food self-sufficiency (production versus
food demand). Application of the IWRM concept to flood management in Malaysia also
provides useful experience for the development of a national strategy on the matter. <strong>The</strong>
Department of Irrigation and Drainage is developing a strategy for flood management to
address flooding problems while promoting the economic value of healthy rivers. <strong>The</strong> strategy
focuses on river channels, floodplains, and river basins and includes: (a) river management,
(b) legislation and policy concern, (3) flood risk mapping, and flood warning and
preparedness planning, (4) public participation, (5) developing options and alternatives, and
(6) monitoring, evaluation and revision. In order to promote more rigorously the application of
IWRM, partnership with the private sector and NGOs is underway and the Malaysian Water
Partnership has been established for this purpose.
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National water visions in Southeast Asia