Environmental research

The Perhentian Islands, off the coast of Terengganu attracts some 250,00 tourists annually with its main attraction being the coral reefs. The islands` coral reefs are an important ecological and economic resource, being home to 33% of all fish species and breeding ground for 25% of all marine species, providing food source for millions of people and livelihood for local communities, while protecting the coastline from severe erosion. Rapid growth in tourism however resulted in various impacts on the marine resources around the islands due to poor waste management, inadequate sewage treatment and high volume of visitors. The granteee, Persatuan Pengusaha-pengusaha Pulau Perhentian Terengganu (PPPPT) (Association of Perhentian Island Operators Terengganu) was formed out of another SGP project that had raised the awareness and build the capacity of the local community and business operators to address the impacts on the degrading coral reefs. This project seeks to support a range of interventions to improve waste management and disposal on the islands. The primary objectives of the project are therefore to - Reduce solid waste generation by primary producers by encouraging waste segregation and adoption of the 3R`s approach, - Improve the solid waste management system, - Minimise organic waste being transported off the islands through the installation of a composting system, and - Reduce nutrient pollution from sewage treatment. Project activities and startegies include; - Education and awareness-raising to educate the producers and managers of these wastes on how to reduce and manage their waste responsibly to minimize their impacts on the environment, and livelihood. - Introduce new waste treatment systems and techniques that can be adopted by the local villagers and operators on the islands, - Build the capacity of the local community and staff working in resorts and restaurants how to manage the organic waste produced, to reduce the volume of waste being transported from the islands back to the mainland, only to occupy more landfill. The activities above seeks to raise the awareness and penetrate the mindset of the local community to change the behaviour necessary to secure sustainable livelihoods on the island while conserving the islands precious natural resource, coral reefs and its environment. The actions also seek to mitigate the impact of climate change through the reduction of transportation of waste and landfill use.

Malaysia