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in the context of sustainable development, water, and land have been addressed in various national policies such the National Water Resources Policy, the National Physical Plan, National Urbanisation Policy, and the National Policy on the Environment). In the latest review Malaysia’s National Physical Plan, one of the three thrusts of the NPP is ‘spatial sustainability
towards resilience to climate change’ through sustainable spatial management including those pertaining land and water with three strategic thrusts, 15 strategies, and 42 actions. Table 4.2.4.2 summarises the implication to water resources stemming from land use issues.
Table 4.2.4.2. Relationship between Land Use and Implication to Water Resources Land Use Types
Forest
Land Use Issues
Implication to Water Resources
Increasing intensity of deforestation, Encroachment of development, development on forested hills. Also encroachment of development into peat forests and wetlands.
Increasing magnitude and frequency of runoff events and reduced base flows, increased pesticide contamination, erosion, and sedimentation of stream and rivers. Lowering of water table
Industrial
Coal mines, power plant and other industries would become a catalyst to urbanising of rural lands and the consequent degradation of land.
Urbanisation
(Commercial, industrial, residential) High urbanisation rate. Incompatible siting of landfills at proximity to groundwater sources.
Infrastructure and utility (water supply)
The construction of large hydro dams to meet increasing demand for electricity
Settlements located at the downstream to the power plants would be severely affected due to the pollution of their water bodies and streams by the effluents. The urbanisation of rural areas would increase water demand
Deterioration of the water resources system, drying and shrinking surface water bodies, Over-exploited and exhausted groundwater, water pollution and the requirement for extensive water management and low water use efficiency. Approval for large tracts of residential development would depend on water availability.
Affecting seasonal inundation patterns both upstream and downstream, as well as water flow, fisheries habitat, and agricultural production.
Note: Adapted from Anis et al. 2015, Jurnal Teknologi Sciences & Engineering, vol. 35, no. 5, pp. 143–149
Recommended Strategies (i)
Enabling Policies in Land Use Plans The National Physical Plan (NPP) gives priority to improving security and sustainability of water resources and
outlines strategies to guarantee the sustainability of water resources in line with the National Water Resources Policy (DSAN). The NPP describes the uses of water bodies and implications of development on water quality, quantity
Transforming the Water Sector: National Integrated Water Resources Management Plan | Strategies and Road Map