58 Tan K.W. et al. / Research Article: 58-68

Emerging Issues Towards Sustainable River Basin Management in ,

Tan Kok Weng and Mazlin B. Mokhtar Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 43600 Bangi, Malaysia

Abstract

Environmental problems arise when land is altered for economic activities. Normally, development itself is not the cause of the problems, but non-strategic planning in the area. Based on the results of interviews with local respondents, a number of critical water related problems were identified. Soil erosion was highlighted as the most serious issue by respondents at 68.9%. Degradation of water quality and degradation of freshwater ecosystems ranked second and third at 65.1% and 61.0% respectively; while water shortage was 50.0%. Problems associated with agricultural solid waste and water borne diseases were 46.2% and 23.6%. In terms of the causes of water problems, the respondents gave seven areas. The highest score was haphazard planning and development (74.5%), followed by land erosion (68.9%) and degradation of water quality (65.1%). In addition, respondents mentioned water shortage (50.0%), a low level of awareness among the local community (61.3%), degradation of ecosystems (61.0%), and uncontrolled water abstraction upstream (54.7%) as being major causes. With rapid urbanization in the Cameron Highlands, issues relating to water and other natural resources are expected to intensify and thus, need to be addressed in an integrated manner, such as through Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM). The study‟s findings provide an overview of water issues in the area and will be important in formulating IRBM strategies. However, the success of IRBM implementation requires political will and commitment from all stakeholders at all levels, especially local government. The recommendations put forward in this study are intended for policymakers and researchers of the River Basin Authority to further explore water related problems and to enable greater public participation in environmental and water issues.

Key words: Integrated water resources management/ Issues and challenges/ Cameron Highlands

1. Introduction Thus, an integrated approach for water resources management such as Integrated Highland is extremely fragile and River Basin Management (IRBM) is environmentally-sensitive area (Chan, important to manage this vital fresh water 2006). However, development activities and its related resources (Dungamaro et such as intensification of agriculture, over al., 2003). harvesting of resources and climate There are growing arguments that changes have put significant pressures on governance of water resources can be highland ecosystem. Land clearances for more effective with broader public farming, housing, highways and dams participation. Inclusiveness, participation have caused deforestation that lead to and transparency are elements required in negative environmental problems. Issues achieving sustainable river basin such as soil erosion, landslides, management. In order to gain public sedimentation of rivers, water pollution, participation, understanding the opinion increasing temperatures and general from local community is important in environmental degradation, are order to achieve sustainable river basin threatening the sustainability of highland. development and should not be neglected

*Corresponding author Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Environment and Natural Resources J. Vol 9, No.2, August 2011: 58-68 59

from the planning process. Furthermore, agricultural areas producing not only for dealing with water resources issues domestic market but also for exportation. requires understanding of the community Cameron Highlands District is the perception. Therefore, opinion survey is headwater catchment for River an essential step to gather the point of (the longest river in Peninsular Malaysia) view from local community. With this and River. The three main rivers regard, the purpose of this paper is to which drain Cameron Highlands, are identify the water resources issues in Bertam, Telom and Lemoi. An estimated Cameron Highlands by using local 5.8 million litres per day (MLD) of water community survey practice. is abstracted at several intake points from rivers originating from mountain forests 2. Background of study area in Cameron Highlands for drinking water supply. The average temperature recorded Cameron Highlands which is at Cameron Highlands is about 17.9°C situated in the state of Pahang has an while the mean minimum temperature is estimated area of 712km2 -. It is located about 15.3°C. The mean maximum is on the Main Range between 4°20‟N- around 22.4°C (MMD, 2005). The 4°37‟N and 101°20‟-101°36‟E (DSM, Meteorological Station at Cameron 2005). Cameron Highlands shares its Highlands recorded 2972.3mm rainfall in borders with the State of Kelantan and 2007. The wettest period is from October Perak, in the north and west respectively to November with rainfall of about (see Figure 1). The economy of the 372.3mm per month while the driest highlands is largely driven by agricultural months are between January and February and tourism related activities. Cameron with about 118.3 mm rainfall per month. Highlands is one of the significant

Figure 1 Location of Cameron Highlands (source: DSM, 2008)

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3. Methodology documents were reviewed based on the Integrated Water Resources Management This study was conducted via four components which were extracted from levels which consists of (i) literature Integrated Water Resources Management review, (ii) field survey (iii) data analysis Toolbox published by Global Water and synthesis, (iv) consultation and Partnership. recommendation. Documents reviewed In order to gather more constructive include national development plans and inputs for this study, a formal interview policies (e.g. Ninth Malaysia Plan 2006- session was conducted in 4-10 Julai 2008. 2010, National Physical Plan 2006-2010, A total of 106 respondents were National Environmental Policy 2002, interviewed; consisting of 68 male and 38 National Biodiversity Policy 1998, female respondents respectively. The National Forestry Policy and National background of the respondents was shown Agricultural Policy); local development in Table 1. Thirty questions (11 relating to plan (Pahang State Structure Plan); current water resources issues and causes, related technical agencies annual report 9 relating to responsible parties and (Department of Environment, Department overcoming strategies, and 10 relating to of Irrigation and Drainage, Town and the level of awareness of the local people) Country Planning Department and were posed for the purpose of case study Forestry Department and Local evaluation. Authorities) and provincial laws. These

Table 1 Classification of respondents Terms Descriptions Numbers Percentage Total Gender Female 38 35.8 106 Male 68 64.2 Farmers 26 24.5

Occupation Hotel and restaurant workers 13 12.3 106 Others (e.g. Housewife, retiree factory 67 63.2 and shop owner)

3.1 Statistical Analysis Procedures Next, factor analysis was applied to seek the least number of factors which This study first applied the could account for common variance of a descriptive analysis on the data set to set of variables (water problems and its‟ retrieve the score of issue and it can either causes). The Varimax rotation was chosen be water problem or cause of the water to produce a new set of factor. Each problem. The score was calculated from rotated factor loading for every variable is the percentage of respondents who stated differentiated significantly to identify the water issue in Cameron Highlands. Eq. each variable with a single factor. This 1 showed the formula to calculate the loading can be interpreted as a score: standardized regression coefficient, regressing the factor on the measures

Si= (ai/b) x 100 eq. (1) (DeCoster, 1998). Screen plot was used in this study to identify the number of Whereas, Si = score of water issue i extracted factors. The plot is initially a1= number of respondents curved and then developed into a linear who stated the water issue i relationship at which the curve straightens b = number of respondents out and these are taken as the maximum Environment and Natural Resources J. Vol 9, No.2, August 2011: 58-68 61

number of factor to be extracted (Child, erosion, solid waste, water borne diseases, 1979; Cattell, 1966). In deriving the degradation of water quality, degradation factor loadings, this study adopted the of freshwater ecosystem and water supply Burt-bank formula to calculate the shortage. Soil erosion was the most significant level of loading. This formula highlighted water problem by the has the merit of allowing not only for the respondents, scoring 68.9%. Degradation sample size but also for the number of of water quality and ecosystem scores tests correlated and the number of factors 65.1% and 61%, while water shortage extracted up to and including the one scores 50%. Meanwhile, agricultural solid under examination (Child, 1979). The waste problem and water borne diseases following is the calculation for the score 46.2% and 23.6% respectively. significant value of loading: In term of causes, the respondents highlighted seven causes of water Standard error of a loading = Standard problems. There were legal land clearing, error of a correlation √(n/ (n+1 – r)) eq.(2) illegal legal land clearing, uncontrolled = 0.206√ (13/ (13+1-4)) river water abstraction in upstream, poor = 0.235 solid waste management, low awareness of local community, haphazard planning Whereas, Standard error of a correlation = and development, and administration 0.206 at 0.05 significant level mistake. The score of haphazard planning r = number of extracted factors and development in Cameron Highlands n = number of variables is 74.5%, which was highest score among of water issues. Land erosion (68.9%) and The mathematical and statistical degradation of water quality (65.1%) were computations in this study were ranked in second and third position performed using Microsoft Excel 2003 among of water issues. Apart from that, and SPSS 10.0 software. more than 50% of the respondents expressed that low awareness of local 4. Results community (61.3%), degradation of freshwater ecosystem (61%) and 4.1 Descriptive analysis uncontrolled water abstraction on the upstream (54.7%) are the major problems Opinion survey data was gathered in Cameron Highlands. The descriptive based on questionnaire through several analysis provided the score for each field investigations in Cameron Highlands. variable. Nevertheless, it was not able to The questionnaire consists of two parts group the water problems with its causes. namely (i) water problems (ii) causes of In order to reveal underlying information water problems. The descriptive analysis to this study, principle factor analysis was result was shown in Table 2. applied to reduce the dataset into factor A total of six water related matrix. problems were identified namely soil

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Table 2 Local perception on water resources issues in Cameron Highlands Issues Scores (%) Ranked by respondents What are the current water Land erosion 68.9 2 related problems in Degradation of water quality 65.1 3 Cameron Highlands? Degradation of freshwater ecosystem 61.0 5 Water shortage problem 50.0 7 Agricultural solid waste 46.2 8 Water borne diseases 23.6 11 What are the causes of Haphazard planning and development 74.5 1 these problems? Low awareness of local community 61.3 4 Uncontrolled river water abstraction in 54.7 6 upstream Administration mistake 37.0 9 Poor solid waste management 34.0 10 Illegal land clearing 21.7 12 Legal land clearing 15.1 13

4.2 Principle factor analysis into rivers has brought along negative effect to water resources such as water This study demonstrated the pollution and ecosystem deterioration. application of principle factor analysis Likewise, low level of community (PFA) on opinion survey data in order to awareness and knowledge on water group different variables with similar resources conservation was observed characteristics. Based on Eq. (2), factor during field investigation in Cameron loading with + 0.235 was considered as a Highlands. Impractical use of fertiliser by significant variable at 0.05 levels. The farmers and improper sanitation in total number of extracted factor was farming estate were also observed and this decided by screen plot. Based on the further contributes to the water resource screen plot (fig. 2), total four factors with pollution in Cameron Highlands (Tan and the total variance of 51.24% were Mokhtar, 2010). Based on this finding, extracted in this study. Table 3 showed Factor 1 was summarized as water the rotated factor loadings for the four environment degradation caused by illegal extracted factors. solid waste disposal and low awareness of Factor 1 was loaded with seven community. variables: poor solid waste management Factor 2 was loaded with seven (0.538), low awareness of local variables: water supply shortages (-0.593), community (0.459), water shortage degradation of water quality (0.330), (0.473), degradation of water quality degradation of freshwater ecosystem (0.369), degradation of freshwater (0.532), illegal land clearing (0.322), legal ecosystem (0.486), land erosion (0.439) land clearing (0.304), uncontrolled river and agricultural solid waste problem water abstraction in upstream (0.645), (0.856). This factor was highly poor solid waste management (0.429) and contributed by solid waste related haphazard planning and development problem such as poor solid waste (0.249). This factor was highly management and agricultural solid waste contributed by water quantity related problem. Poor solid waste collection problems. Uncontrolled river water service and low awareness of local abstraction by local farmers has caused community are among the main causes of the problem of insufficient raw water water quality and quantity problem in inflow to water treatment plant to produce Cameron Highlands. Irresponsible clean water (Teoh, 2004). Ironically, disposal of agricultural waste by farmers excessive water abstraction by the agro- Environment and Natural Resources J. Vol 9, No.2, August 2011: 58-68 63

farm is not monitored by the relevant sediment transport ranging between government agencies effectively. Illegal 450,000 m3- 600,000 m3 occurred as a water tapping was observed during the result of agricultural activities in the field investigation in Cameron Highlands. upstream of Cameron Highlands (Fortuin, Moreover, the license fee imposed on 2006). Based on this finding, Factor 3 was water abstraction by farmer is a meagre summarized as land clearing activity RM10 (USD3) per year, thus resulting in leading to serious land erosion in water wastage by these users (Tan and Cameron Highlands. Mokhtar, 2010). Low enforcement Factor 4 was highly contributed by capacity by government agencies water borne diseases (0.686). In addition, particularly in monitoring land clearing it was also loaded with illegal land activities for agro-farm, illegal clearing (0.401), legal land clearing agricultural waste disposal and haphazard (0.438) and administration problem development was identified as the major (0.619). Based on PFA result, the cause of water quantity and quality respondents showed that land clearing problem. Based on this finding, Factor 2 activity as the cause of human health was summarized as agricultural problem (e.g waterborne diseases) in development leading to negative impacts Cameron Highlands. Domestic effluent on water resources such as water shortage and organic fertilizer (e.g chicken manure) and ecosystem deterioration. from agricultural area are the main source Factor 3 was loaded with illegal of biological pollution such as e-coli land clearing (0.689), legal land clearing (Alley, 2000). Fertiliser residues are most (0.658), poor solid waste management likely to be washed into river during soil (0.368), haphazard planning and erosion process. In 2007, the development (0.313) and land erosion concentration of total coliform was (0.461). This factor was highly recorded at 21,000 MPN in Burung River contributed by land development (major water intake point) and 530, 000 activities such as land clearing which MPN in Bertam River (DOE, 2009). In consequently caused serious land erosion addition, the concentration of Nitrate was in Cameron Highlands. According to recorded at 4.38 mg/l in Ringlet Malaysia Islands and Highlands Reservoirs in Cameron Highlands (DOE, Development Guideline, any forest lands 2009). Based on this finding, Factor 4 was situated 1,000 metres above the sea level summarised as human health due to e-coli is classified as Reserved Forest or bacterial pollution and land clearing Catchment Forest Land (MoNRE, 2005). activity in Cameron Highlands. Logging activities are prohibited in the Factor 1, 2, 3 and 4 were area but substantial land clearing activities summarised to four topics namely (i) were observed during the field visit, water environment degradation caused by particularly in respect of agricultural illegal solid waste disposal and low development in Cameron Highlands. awareness of community, (ii) agricultural Total 7 percent of the land; which is development leading to the degradation of approximately about 72,000 ha of the water quality and quantity, (iii) land total land area of Cameron Highlands has clearing activity leading serious land been allocated for agriculture; of which erosion (iv) human health due to by e-coli 51 percent have been used for vegetable bacterial pollution and land clearing cultivation while the remaining is activity in Cameron Highlands. dedicated to horticulture. Soil erosion and

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Figure 2 Screen plot of PFA

Table 3 Factors‟ loadings for the identified water related issues F1 F2 F3 F4 1. Land erosion .439 -.038 .461 -.071 2. Agricultural solid waste .856 .128 .142 .193 3. Water borne diseases -.035 .125 .047 .686 4. Degradation of water quality .369 .330 .097 .040 5. Water shortage .473 .593 .058 .170 6. Degradation of freshwater ecosystem .486 .532 .194 .079 7. Legal land clearing .173 .322 .689 .401 8. Illegal land clearing .184 .304 .658 .438 9. Uncontrolled river water abstraction in upstream .065 .645 .188 .046 10. Poor solid waste management .538 .429 .368 .177 11. Low awareness of local community .459 .175 .141 .006 12. Haphazard planning and development .155 .249 .313 -.183 13. Administration mistake .189 -.031 .082 .619 % variance 16.55 12.83 11.45 10.41 % cumulative 16.55 29.38 40.83 51.24

5. Discussion and Recommendation According to Ekhwan et al. (2010), agricultural activities generate most of the According to the Highland and eroded soils in Cameron Highlands. Island Development guideline, any forest Activities like market gardening, lands situated 1000 metres above the sea floriculture, mixed agriculture, tea and level is classified as Reserved Forest or orchard constitute more than 11,000 Catchment Forest land. Logging activities hectares of active land that produces silts are prohibited in such area (MoNRE, to the water courses. Agricultural 2005). However, substantial land clearing activities almost 36% of the total land use activities were observed particularly in in Upper Telom and Upper Bertam respect of agricultural development in catchments while constitute of more than Cameron Highlands. 16% of the total land area in Cameron Highlands. Furthermore, most of the Environment and Natural Resources J. Vol 9, No.2, August 2011: 58-68 65

farmers preferred to cultivate short term Development of River Basin Authority vegetable crops over soil conserving plants and these crops are normally Some River Basin Authorities have harvested after 2-3 months period. Many demonstrated the best practice of water of the annual vegetable crops have a short management in the world such as Murray crop cycle so that farmers can harvest that Darling River Basin Commission, particular type few times in a year. The Australia and Mekong River Basin soil is more sensitive to erosion during a Commission. This is because different crop cycle as it has no protection at all catchment areas may have different against raindrop impacts and hydrological characteristics and functions. consequently the farms are associated Formulation of the River Basin Authority with high rates of soil erosion, runoff and may able to overcome the fragmented nutrient loss (Fortuin, 2006; Hashim and coordination mechanism, hence gathering Rahaman, 2006) all the key stakeholders under one roof to There is a lack of awareness and deal with the water resources issues. knowledge on water resources Various stakeholders from different conservation observed in the local sectors and levels need to be involved in community of Cameron Highlands. the management of the precious water Impractical use of fertiliser, improper resources in Cameron Highlands. The sanitation and solid waste system in these National Policy on the Environment, 2002 farming areas further contribute to the has clearly stated that integrated and water resource pollution in Cameron effective coordination among Highlands. Ironically, excessive water stakeholders shall be enhanced in order to abstraction by the agro-farm is not achieve efficient environmental monitored by the relevant government management and protection (MOSTE, agencies. Licence fee for water 2002). Fragmented and overlapping abstraction by farmer is only RM10 per institutions will only bring along the year, thus resulting in water wastage by obstacle to sustainable development on the user. Low enforcement capacity by water resources (Tan and Mokhtar, 2009). government agencies particularly in Engagement of stakeholders from the monitoring illegal land clearing for agro- district level could be facilitated through farm and unplanned development has the creation of River Basin Management been identified as the major cause of Committees that can manage and develop water problems. the vital water resources in a sustainable With rapid development in manner without scarifying the economy Cameron Highlands, problems and issues efficiency and social welfare. The main related to water and other resources needs responsibility of the committee is to plan, to be addressed in an integrated and implement and monitor the activities holistic manner such as through the within the Cameron Highlands (Bertam Integrated River Basin Management River Basin). (IRBM), which treats a river basin as a geographical unit (Jaspers, 2003). Apart Joint river basin management approach from these, some recommendations are suggested for policy maker and researcher Lack of enforcement capacity is not for further exploration as following: a new issue in Cameron Highlands. There are numerous regulations and agencies involved dealing with sectoral functions. However, there is lack of financial resources to carry out the functions. In 66 Tan K.W. et al. / Research Article: 58-68

order to overcome this problem, the Conference on Water and the authority needs to increase boundary Environment, which was held in Dublin patrols as well as building up the in 1992 (GWP, 2004): partnership with the local communities to report illegal land clearing events. The “Water Development and management joint management approach may suitable should be based on a participatory to be applied on the current management approach” framework, which could build up the partnership easily with the local It becomes a buzzword in every community. This idea is mainly derived water management related conference and from the administration framework of the the gap between the theoretical National Parks in Australia (e.g. Kakudu participation framework and its National Park). The term „joint implementation is the main concern of management‟ is referring to the working policy makers and researchers. The term partnership between all traditional owners “public participation” is found in a lot of and relevant aboriginal people (Australian publications on water resources Government, 2007). management. However, who are the Joint management approach is to stakeholder that we should include into involve the various stakeholders that work water management system? This approach together to solve problems, share the is widely used to refer to some aspects of decision-making responsibilities and local populations in the design, exchange knowledge, skills and implementation and evaluation of the information among each other. This project and plan (Brown and Wyckoff- approach requires a full commitment from Baird, 1992). Public participation has all level stakeholders (e.g. government, always been recognised as a practice of NGOs, CBOs and aboriginal owner to stakeholder engagement. According to the include the really local issues in to International Association for Public management plan and ensure the Participation (IAP2), public participation environmental sustainability in future. is made up of five aspects, which are Nevertheless, characteristics of the river Information, Consultation, Involvement, basin such as physical, economic, social, Collaboration and Empowerment (IPA2, and well as the aboriginal cultural should 2007). These aspects have specific goal be understood and this may be the key to on public participation. Effective public achieve the sustainable objective. engagement require suitable platform to However, this only can be approached if ensure the management practices are stakeholders have their opportunities to relevant and in due consideration of the involve in decision making of any local requirements (Tan and Mokhtar, management programs. 2009). Shifting of management power from the government to community group Public participation must be done through prescribed power sharing agreement. However, effective Participatory approach for all public participation may require changes stakeholders in the entire planning and in institutional arrangement to accomplish management process is a key factor to the participation goal. It has a similar ensure success and sustainability of water philosophy of community based resources management in the long term. management on natural resources which The second principle of Integrated Water promotes stakeholder participation Resources Management (IWRM) had through power sharing and responsibility been developed in the International Environment and Natural Resources J. Vol 9, No.2, August 2011: 58-68 67

between government and local resource  To what extent does the political will users (McCay and Acheson, 1987). of Malaysian Government toward a Besides, engagement of different joint management approach for river level of stakeholders is not achievable basin management? without an enabling environment. A clear  To what extent does local provision from legislation is essential to community accept the community create a strong partnership among the based management approach? government, NGOs and local communities. In Cameron Highlands, the involvement 7. Acknowledgement from the local communities is lacking and they do not seem to be aware of their vital The authors would like to thank the role in this matter. Therefore, appropriate Ministry of Science, Technology and public awareness campaigns and educations Innovation Malaysia (Project: 04-01-02- programmes are required in order to instil SF0343), UKM Integrated Water such awareness. Community based Resources Research Group (Project: organizations (CBOs) can play the role of UKM-OUP-PLW-11-48/2010) and Centre facilitator in such campaigns in Cameron for Graduate Management, UKM for Highlands. providing financial support.

6. Conclusion 8. References

As conclusion, this paper identified Alley, E.R. 2000. Water quality control the water related issues by local opinion. handbook. McGRAW-Hill. With rapid urbanization in Cameron Australian Government. 2007. Kakadu Highlands, problems related to water and National Park Management Plan other resources are expected to intensify. 2007-2014. Director of National Parks. Cameron Highlands needs to be managed Brown, M. and Wyckoff-Baird, B. 1992. in an integrated and holistic manner such Designing integrated conservation and as through the Integrated River Basin development projects. Biodiversity Management (IRBM) which treats a river Support Program, Washington DC. basin as a geographical unit. There is an Cattell, R.B. 1966. Handbook immediate need to organize people for of multivariate experimental better water management within the psychology. Rand McNally Chicago. context of IRBM in order to enhance the Chan, N.W. 2006. Cameron Highlands: capacity and capability of stakeholder Issues and Challenges especially government agencies. However, in Sustainable Development. this requires political will and Universiti Sains Malaysia. commitment from all level of Child, D. 1979.The essentials of factor stakeholders especially the Local analysis. Hol Rienheart and Government- Cameron Highlands District Winston, London. DeCoster J. 1998. Council to ensure the success of IRBM Overview of factor analysis. implementation. Some recommendations University of Alabama. are suggested for policy maker and Department of Environment (DOE). 2009. researcher for further exploration such as Water quality data in Cameron Development of River Basin Authority Highlands (2004-2007). Putrajaya and enabling environment for public Malaysia. participation. Further prompt to following Department of Survey and Mapping research questions, and identified as (DSM). 2005. Surface areas and future exploration: Perimeter Information for District 68 Tan K.W. et al. / Research Article: 58-68

and Islands in Malaysia. Kuala of Public Participation. Atas talian Lumpur. www.iap2.org/associations/4748/files/ Department of Survey and Mapping spectrum.pdf [12April 2007]. (DSM). 2008. Map of Cameron Jaspers, F.G.W. 2003. Institutional Highlands 1:30,000. Malaysia. arrangements for integrated river Dungumaro, E.W. dan Madulu, N.F. basin management. Water Policy. 5: 2003. Public Participation in 77-90. Integrated Water Resources Malaysian Meteorological Department Management: The Case of (MMD). 2005. Climatic data for Tanzania. Physics and Chemistry. Pahang River Basin 2000-2005. Kuala 28: 1009-1014. Lumpur. Ekhwan Toriman, Othman A. Karim, McCay, B. J. and Acheson, J. M. 1987. The Mazlin Mokhtar, Muhammad question of the commons: the culture Barzani Gazim, Md. Pauzi Abdullah. and ecology of communal resources. 2010. Use of InfoWork RS in University of Arizona Press, Tucson, modeling the impact of urbanisation USA, pp. 1-439. on sediment yield in Cameron Ministry of Natural Resources and Highlands, Malaysia. Nature and Environment (MoNRE), 2005. Island Science. 8(2):67-73. and Highland Development Guideline. Fortuin. R. 2006. Soil Erosion in Putrajaya, Malaysia Cameron Highlands: An Erosion Ministry of Science, Technology and Rate Study in a Highland Area. Environment (MOSTE), 2002. Saxion University Deventer, National Policy on the Environment. Netherlands. Malaysia. Global Water Partnership (GWP). 2004. Tan, K.W. and Mokhtar, M. 2009. An Catalyzing Change: A handbook Appropriate Institutional Framework for developing integrated water Towards Integrated Water Resources resources management (IWRM) Management in Pahang River Basin, and water efficiency strategies. Malaysia. European J. Scientific Technical Committee, Stockholm, Research.4:536-547. Sweden, 2004. Tan, K.W. and Mokhtar, M. 2010. Hashim, G.M. and Rahaman, A.H. 2006. Evaluation of social perception on Soil Erosion and Water Pollution in water issues in Cameron Highlands Cameron Highlands: Conservation (Malaysia) by Principle Factor Strategies. in Chan, N.W., 2006. Analysis. J. of Environmental Cameron Highlands: Issues and Science and Engineering. 4 (4):45-52. Challenges in Sustainable Teoh, T.H. 2004. Tackling highlands‟ water Development. Universiti Sains woes. The Star. 27 June 2004. Malaysia. International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) 2007. Spectrum