Watershed Conservation
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Clean, fast-running water is needed to ensure the turbine runs efficiently; it also minimizes downtime and extends the life of the turbo-machinery. A comprehensive plan for the restoration and preservation of Pa Merario’s water catchments is a necessary component of the micro-hydro project.
It will ensure a reliable supply of clean water for the micro-hydro power plant as well as any other purposes. Proper management of the water catchments will greatly reduce the risk of flash floods and be an asset to the whole community.
The community is launching the Pa Merario Watershed Management Program in conjunction with the Micro-hydro project. This program will comprise a series workshops designed to educate the community on the importance of watershed conservation, map the Pa Merario water catchments, and devise a set of rules for sustainable community use through meetings with the village elders.
It also includes a nursery for fruit and timber seedlings and a reforestation program. Upon completion the community intends to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with an NGO to ensure the preservation of the Pa Merario Watershed for generations to come.
+ Benefits of watershed conservation
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1.
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Ensure a constant supply of clean water for the Bario Asal / Arur Layun micro-hydro power plant, downstream irrigation purposes and domestic consumption
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2.
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Prevent recurrence of flash floods by encouraging the vegetation to regenerate
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3.
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Conserve the watershed ecology for future ecotourism and research efforts
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4.
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Preserve the watershed area for sustainable harvesting of jungle produce
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+ Watershed conservation Partners
The community will be working together with several organizations which have experience setting up successful micro-hydro systems and watershed conservation schemes in Borneo and around the world. They include :
The Borneo Project ( Web - http://www.borneoproject.org )
The Borneo Project is an environmental justice initiative that partners with indigenous organizations and communities to permanently protect and manage ancestral rainforests. They coordinate training, equipment, international volunteers and small grants to partners for various environmental initiatives including Green Energy; replacing diesel generators with clean micro-hydro electricity, in exchange for protection of rainforests in the headwaters of the stream that runs the turbine.
Seacology ( Web - http://www.seacology.org )
Seacology is the world's premier nonprofit environmental organization with the sole purpose of preserving the highly endangered biodiversity of islands throughout the world. Seacology searches for win-win situations where both the local environment is protected and islanders receive some tangible benefit for protecting their precious natural resources. Previous micro-hydro projects include Terian, Sabah completed in July 2004 and Long Lawen, Sarawak completed in 2001.
Partners of Community Organizations (PACOS)
( Web - )
PACOS TRUST (PACOS) is a community based voluntary organization registered under the Trustees Ordinance Chapter 148, Sabah, Malaysia to help raise the quality of life of indigenous communities. They are involved in numerous community programs including resource management and have received overseas training on developing micro-hydro projects and enabling communities to manage their resources in a sustainable manner.
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