Noraini (third from left) watering a palm tree that she had planted as part of the ‘Love Klang River’ initiative. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
A COMMUNITY-BASED programme to encourage people living along the banks of Sungai Klang to get involved in its clean up has been initiated by Klang Royal City Council (MBDK).
Mayor Datin Paduka Noraini Roslan, while launching the “Love Klang River” campaign, said a concerted effort was underway to clean up the river.
The river stretches 120km from Hulu Gombak to the mouth of the Straits of Malacca, close to Port Klang.
Sungai Klang’s river basin is in MBDK’s administrative area and it meanders 21km through five housing areas and 11 villages, said Noraini, adding that the efforts to clean the river was in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“In the first stage, the programme will begin in Kampung Sungai Sireh Tambahan 2.
“It will also be carried out in two other locations in Kampung Sungai Udang and Kampung Delek this year.
“The programme will involve other communities in future,” she said after launching the programme at the fishermen’s jetty at Kampung Sungai Sireh Tambahan 2 in Port Klang.
“The area along the river saw rapid development which also brought negative effects to the environment like pollution.
“Improving river cleanliness is not only important to ensure clean water quality but also helps to protect the habitat of wildlife,” Noraini said.
Besides gotong-royong, the programme would look into separating rubbish for recycling which would be coordinated by MBDK, she said.
Noraini added MBDK would also hold a river beautification competition and carry out soft landscaping works along the river, she added.
