KEEPING our rivers clean is not the only answer to ensure adequate water supply. It is more important to make sure that the water source is protected to the utmost to ensure water continues to flow from it.

This was the advice given by former science, technology and environment minister Law Hieng Ding at the Third China International Forum on Environment and Development in Beijing last week.

In his paper 'Rivers - Lifeline for Sustainable Water Supply' delivered at the forum, Law stressed that catchment areas as water source must be protected at all cost and there is no alternative to it.

"We can implement the best strategy, use the most sophisticated technology to clean our polluted rivers and to prevent them from further pollution, but if the catchment areas are left unprotected and exposed to logging and clearing, the efforts may be futile.

"Protecting and preserving the pristine forest in catchment areas upstream is obviously more critical than preventing pollution downstream and therefore should be accorded the highest priority in any government agenda to achieve sustainable water supply for our present and future generations," he said.

Law also pointed out that Research and Development to improve catchment areas in term of its capability to induce cloud formation and eventually rain must be given due consideration.

"In areas outside catchment areas that have seasonal high rainfall, efforts must also be given to retain rainwater by diverting them to existing lakes, or creating one for the purpose," he said, adding that the man-made lake in Putrajaya (Malaysia) not only serves as a water source in case of emergency but with its beautiful scenery and various water activities has also become a major tourist attraction.

Costly commodity

The former minister said water is expected to be a costlier commodity in the years to come.

"We can find alternative to oil, but I doubt we will ever find alternative for clean water and clean air. We must therefore learn to appreciate this fact and preserve our water sources and fresh air at whatever cost before it is too late.

"A holistic approach in terms of policy, governance, planning, management, and regulation must be put in place, and permanently put into practice and enforced," he added.

On the Malaysian experience, Law said although the nation is blessed with rich water resources, there are also a host of water problems and issues, such as water shortages, river pollution and decline of water quality.

"The cause of these problems are intricately associated with changing value systems, and the dynamics of socio-economic in Malaysia, as well as a range of deeply rooted institutional constraints."

However, he was happy to note that the Malaysian Government had formulated a Water Vision to the year 2025 to protect and preserve water resources.

To realise this vision, the government has introduced the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) under the Ninth Development Plan (2006 - 2010).

Praise for China

According to Law, IWRM among other things aims to promote a balance between developmental needs and the environment and to maintain and enhance the ecosystem functions of river system through the restoration and maintenance of highland catchments, wetlands, river buffers and riparian zones.

The former minister also praised China for setting an excellent example to the world in her continuous effort to address the various issues affecting the nation's water quality and supply.

"Being such a big country with a huge population, the leadership's political will and determination to push for a holistic and integrated approach for China's sustainable water supply is indeed exemplary.

"Every country should take serious steps to prevent a possible catastrophe of water shortage which could lead to war among nations," he added.

For the record, China has more than 50,000 rivers with a total flow of more than 2,600 billion cubic metres of water.

Other prominent personalities who spoke at the forum included the Chinese Minister of State Environmental Protection Zhou Shengxian and the Chinese Vice Minister of Water Resources Hu Siyi.

The two-day event was held at the Beijing International Convention Centre.