The focus of this programme is to promote and support the integrated management of river basins and water resources with particular emphasis on ensuring that biodiversity and wetland conservation and community considerations are incorporated into river basin management.

GEC has undertaken a range of projects and initiatives related to integrated river basin management including:

Workshop and Meetings

GEC has organised or co-organised a number of meetings including:

• Workshop on Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Malaysia (1999)
• Workshop on Community Approaches to River Management, Malaysia (2001)
•  Workshop on Design of River Basin Initiative, Netherlands (2001)
•  East Asian Seminar on River Restoration, Malaysia (2003)
•  Workshop on Integrated Management of Wetlands, Biodiversity and River Basins, World Water Forum,  Japan (2003)
• Workshop on Biodiversity and River Management in Malaysia (2004)
• Training courses on community based river management and assessment (2005)
  

River Management, Rehabilitation Projects

GEC has been involved with various partners in the following site-based riverine assessment and management projects which emphasise community participation:

• Rehabilitation of Kelana Jaya Lakes, Selangor (2002 - 2005)
• Rehabilitation of Sg. Pencala, Federal Territory / Selangor Malaysia (2003 - 2006)
• Community Involvement in Conservation of Biodiversity of Sg. Nenggiri basin, Kelantan (2003 - 2006)
• Assessment of aquatic resources of Meliau Range Conservation Area, Sabah (2003 - 2005)
•  Assessment of the Perak River (2005 - 2006)
• Integrated Management of the Salut-Mengkabong River Basin, Sabah (2003 - 2006)

Environment Education / School Programmes

• Environmental Education Programme
• Corporate programme - corporate environment training / talk
• Environment Rapid Assessment
• Community river monitoring programme
•  School programme - SMART & RIVER RAGER

 Information Exchange

GEC is supporting a range of infomation exchange and networking activites including:

~ CBD-Ramsar River Basin Initiative

The River Basin Initiative (RBI) is an activity under the joint work plan of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the Convention on Biological Diversity. This initiative aims to help establish a global network to share information, as well as support activities and projects that demonstrate the principles and practice of integrated water resources management. The work of GEC focuses on support to the River Basin Initiative Network - including electronic newsletters and web portal.

~ Malaysia River Network

The Malaysian River Network was established in 2004 to link groups working on the restoration and rehabilitation of river systems in Malayisa, including communities participating in river management. Activities include organisations of workshops and meetings, an electronic discussion group, a small grants scheme, manuals and guidelines on collaborative projects.