Objective Introduction

Heartware in Integrated Watershed Management: Translational Research at Mukim Pasangan, Kuala Selangor Zeeda Fatimah MOHAMAD1, Azizan BAHARUDDIN1,2, Wan Mohd Yusof WAN CHIK 3, Siti Norasiah ABD KADIR1, Affan NASARUDDIN1, Mohd Noor MUSA1, Benjamin Ong SIA MING1, Nobumitsu SAKAI4, Nik Meriam NIK SULAIMAN1 1University

of Malaya 2Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia 3Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin 4Kyoto University

Introduction Integrated Water Management (IWM) can be defined more inclusively as a gradual, continuous and holistic process of short-, medium- and long-term decision making that takes into consideration the ongoing conflicts, competition and resolutions between various groups that have a stake on a watershed. A key element within this inclusive approach of governance is its increasing recognition in dealing with Heartware – as a process of mediating different prioritization of values placed on the watershed by different stakeholders. Therefore, a translational research is designed as an immediate response to address these needs by translating the shared values in IWM acquired from the selected group, i.e., the youth and Muslim community of Mukim Pasangan, into various outreach and capacity building programmes aimed to empower the community in creating awareness of the importance of managing water resources within the context of IWM. This research also focuses on documenting these shared values into an affordable coffee table book to bring back the aspirational memories of Selangor River to young adults and youth, and to enhance the Heartware of the community for IWM.

Objective ♥ To introduce the idea of Heartware in the framework of water management thinking in the community of Mukim Pasangan. ♥ To “re-enchant” the stakeholders, local community and youth within a local watershed community in Mukim Pasangan by providing a platform (Kelab Alami KAWA, Rakan Alam Sekitar Masjid and coffee table book) for community participation and contribution in Integrated Watershed Management of the Selangor River.

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

♥ Kelab Alami KAWA ♥

♥ Rakan Alam Sekitar Masjid ♥

♥ Coffee table book ♥

An initiative to engage and educate the kampung youth of Mukim Pasangan, Kuala Selangor. This club is part of the Kelab Alami Network pioneered in Mukim Tanjung Kupang Johor by Shalan Jum’at and Serina Rahman. The Youth Rangers of Kelab Alami KAWA are being trained as local guides that are able to explain about the interesting place around the kampung and nature guide cum young scientists conducting research while bringing visitors to learn about their habitat (river and mangrove area).

An outreach program aimed at developing human capital on water governance among the Muslim community of Mukim Pasangan, particularly the mosque (a religious institution with representatives from the Muslim community; the Penghulu, head of the villages (ketua kampung), the women’s affairs section (muslimat), and youth) - through training (theory and practical) and creating awareness on the importance of managing water resources as one of the obligatory for Muslim (fard al-kifayah). Apart from the outreach program, it is an effort that tries to embark on social transformation of the Muslims' practice with regards to the use of water, i.e by giving understanding the fact that part of the religious ethics of a Muslim is to conserve water and for them to raise & strengthen their religious ethics, especially in the current water crisis.

The tale of Mukim Pasangan, its livelihood, the uniqueness of riverine community and how they value their natural surrounding is best represented in the form of a coffee table book. Heart-warming human-nature relationship stories from the past, local traditions and current conservation efforts can be used as a ‘tool’ to inspire from the experience of others to create a proactive community participation and support in the protection of Selangor River.

Method “Facilitating, not teaching” Multisensory

Learning by doing

Interactive

Outdoor/ open classroom

Group work

The core material for the book was collected via interviews with various members of the local community—people as diverse as boatmen, attap makers, cooks, traditional musicians, mangrove conservationists, religious authorities and the local youth environmental club/rangers.

Method Training workshop

Talkshow of Bicara Ad-Deen (IKIMfm)

Findings

Findings

Positive behaviour towards the environment. Able to conduct scientific monitoring (water quality) Able to identify flora and fauna in their habitats Share knowledge gained on the environment and local heritage with other people (community & visitors) ♥ Improved soft skills (presentation skills, English-speaking skills, to work independently as well as a team)

After the program, the Muslim/mosque community were encouraged to participate and take actions to protect Selangor River. Some of their commitment for future activities are:

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Method

♥ River clean-up activities (gotong-royong) ♥ Environmental education program on managing the river/water resource in a sustainable way ♥ Visit to places with successful river-care implementation ♥ Recycling centre at the mosque

Conclusion What began as a “discovery” on what we can appreciate in Mukim Pasangan and “dreaming” or imagining of what might be there, ended up with “designing” on what should be. The coffe table book, Kelab Alami KAWA and Rakan Alam Sekitar Masjid is part of our designing stage to encourage and re-enchant the communities. In the future we hope to “deliver” of what will be if there is a wholesome participation from the local communities in taking care of the Selangor River.

It has been decided that the flow of the material will be presented in three “acts” or “movements”: Rumpun

Alami

Aliran

Findings “Values that are not only shared, but also inspiring.” Value of industry

Value of ecosystem

Value of lifestyle

Value as landscape

Acknowledgement Our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Community of Mukim Pasangan Kuala Selangor, Municipal Council of Kuala Selangor, Sustainability Science Cluster University of Malaya, The Community and Sustainability Center (UMCares), Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Selangor Waters Management Authority (LUAS), our volunteers (Mohammad Shahrul Amin Mohd Salleh, Mohd Azham Yahya, Norashekin Kamal Baharin, Serina Rahman, Shalan Jum’at, Mohammad Redhza Rasidi, Norshahzila Idris, Lili Fariza Ariffin) and Asia Core Group 4 members for providing their kind support and contributing directly or indirectly in this research. Special thanks to the ILEC Heartware Expert Group led by Prof Nakamura for providing valuable exposure on the Heartware concept.