KOTA KINABALU: Experts are urged to submit their river management recommendations to the Sabah government, said state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
"Rivers play a crucial role in our daily lives. Beyond providing essential water resources, they support socio-economic activities such as fishing and tourism, which rely heavily on healthy river systems.
"With the cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders, the recommendations from today's workshop will be crucial for guiding future actions on river management in Sabah," she said at the opening of a river management workshop at a hotel here.
Liew said river ecosystems, including riparian areas, must be protected to maintain ecological stability and preserve biodiversity, which is vital for wildlife habitats.
She said responsible and sustainable management of rivers was imperative with the surge in demand for river sand and stone due to development activities.
"The demand in the construction sector is increasing, and we must manage our rivers responsibly to safeguard our environment.
"Today's workshop serves as a crucial platform for formulating an integrated plan.
"I encourage all participants to share their knowledge and experiences to contribute to practical management proposals," Liew said, adding that climate change, soil erosion, logging and other man-made activities had affected the quality of rivers.
Liew expressed confidence that the collaborative efforts from the workshop would lead to effective strategies for sustainable river management and urged for these to be acted upon without delay.
Present were the ministry's permanent secretary Josie Lai Mei Sing and Environment Protection Department director Vitalis J. Moduying.