Environmental research

As with many other highland areas in rural and remote Sarawak, the local indigenous Kenyah community of Mudung Abun, Belaga District, Sarawak, do not have ready access to several basic amenities, including reliable and renewable sources of energy and electricity, clean drinking water, etc. Presently, their main sources of energy and electricity originates from the cutting or chopping of forest trees and branches, and from the use of highly priced fossil fuel (diesel) run generators. Such activities invariably contribute towards climate change, as well as the loss of biodiversity. The installation of a renewable energy cum electricity community-based integrated micro-hydro system through the project will involve capacity building and the active participation of the local community at all stages of its construction, maintenance and utilization. The micro-hydro system will bring a variety of benefits to the local community and their surrounding natural resources and ecosystems. Such benefits include the mitigation of climate change, conservation of biodiversity, enrichment and proper management of water catchments to ensure the continuous and sufficient flow of water in the river to drive the micro-hydro turbines, alternative income generation especially for the women, etc. all of which would promote the sustainable livelihoods of the local community.

Malaysia