River Health Index and Community-based IRBM for River Health Care

Project status: Ongoing
  • Duration: 2026 – 2027
  • Funder: Yayasan Hasanah & Ministry of Finance
  • Partners: Department of Irrigstion and Drainage (DID) Perak

River Health Index and Community-based IRBM for River Health Care

Sungai Kinta is one of Perak’s most significant river ecosystems: a primary source of water for Ipoh city and a lifeline for the region’s biodiversity and communities that depend on it.

This project brings together science, community action and governance to protect and restore this vital catchment. Through the River Health Index (RHI) and the Community-based Kinta River Basin Integrated River Basin Management (CbKRB-IRBM) model, the project aims ensure that Sungai Kinta is monitored, cared for and sustainably managed for generations to come.

OBJECTIVE 1
Promote and implement developed RHI

Sustaining the existing Project Working Group (PWG), enhancing and standardising the RHI in consultation with agencies, promoting its adoption at national level and implement as well as enhance RHI in Kinta River Catchment.

OBJECTIVE 2
To sustain and enhance stewardship of Sungai Kinta Catchment through CbKRB-IRBM

Empowering local communities through capacity-building, guided field visits, and support for river care initiatives, including waste management, river monitoring, and biodiversity restoration using nature-based solutions (NbS). Also to create visibility through inspiring stories and social media.

Expected Outcomes:

  1. Strengthened coordination & governance
    • Through technical meetings with agencies and PWG meetings.
    • Documentation of stakeholder engagement and consultation.
  1. Enhanced River Health Index (RHI)
    • Enhancement and standardisation of RHI document for Sungai Kinta Catchment.
    • Through workshops/exhibitions/trainings and online webinar promoting RHI.
    • Through targeted centralised training session for key stakeholders, particularly government agencies and community.
    • RHI application in monitoring river health of Kinta River Catchment.
  1. Community empowerment & NbS implementation
    • Through centralised capacity-building trainings and 2 guided field visits conducted.
    • Support community-led (existing and new) CbKRB-IRBM initiatives.
    • Planting of minimum 500 native trees, pollinator plants and shrubs using bioengineering approaches.
  1. Visibility & knowledge sharing
    • Publication of success stories of communities/stakeholders.
    • Maintaining active project website and social media engagement.
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