River trips spark public’s interest in conservation
River pollution is at times reversible, with holistic rehabilitation efforts involving society and the authorities.

This happens when the public become aware of the role they can play in protecting rivers.

The River Educational Trip, a Selangor Maritime Gateway project, is one such initiative that is making an impact.

Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd corporate services director Nini Shazrina said the initiative was developed to educate the public on the shared responsibility of protecting the environment.

Landasan Lumayan is a subsidiary of Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated).

“Local businesses operated by fishermen in Sungai Klang, such as the Klang River Taxi Resources, thrive as key boat operators. They provide transportation services for visitors along the river,” said Nini.

“This gives them a new income stream and has turned them into river conservation advocates among villagers and the public.

“Mangrove Point – a park reserve under the Maritime Gateway initiative together with the Selangor Forestry Department – is creating a higher demand for trips downstream of the river.

The Selangor Maritime Gateway has removed 89,488 metric tonnes of waste from Sungai Klang, with 51% consisting of PET bottles, soft plastics, foam plastics, textiles, tin and glass.

“In the future, there will be a spillover effect for neighbouring fishing communities as we promote river educational trips to international cruise passengers docking at Port Klang, with Mangrove Point as the focal nature-based attraction.

“There are opportunities for social enterprise activities for locals to enjoy additional income, thereby boosting economic growth in villages like Kampung Sungai Sireh, Kampung Sungai Udang and Kampung Sungai Delek.

“These educational trips have also sparked a river stewardship movement, particularly among youths, through volunteerism and educational programmes,” Nini noted.

“This has further contributed to the sustainable development and preservation of Sungai Klang’s ecosystem.”

Some 52 trips with 2,145 individuals, both local and foreign, have taken place along the river as of March.

Between July 2023 and March this year, 47 clean-up and mangrove planting activities have taken place at Mangrove Point.

Some of the activities included a clean-up by Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Ecoknights Kuala Lumpur and Selangor which gathered 2,548.55kg of rubbish.

The group also planted 200 mangrove tree saplings at Mangrove Point.

Another cleanup programme by Inti College (Subang) and Mahsa University collected 2,240kg of rubbish.

Meanwhile, up until last January, Selangor Maritime Gateway successfully removed 89,488 metric tonnes of waste from Sungai Klang.

Of the amount, 51% consisted of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, soft plastics, foam plastics, textiles, tin and glass.

This volume is equivalent to approximately 480 Boeing 747 planes, said Nini.
The Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG),river
River pollution is at times reversible, with holistic rehabilitation efforts involving society and the authorities.