704 Erosion Sites Identified Nationwide, 46 In Critical Category
SHAH ALAM: A total of 704 coastal erosion sites have been identified nationwide through the implementation of the Integrated Shoreline Management Plan (ISMP) involving 10 states, with 46 of them categorised as Category 1 (Critical).
The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) informed that 183 locations are in Category 2 (Significant), while another 475 locations are in Category 3 (Not Yet Serious).
“Monitoring and management of coastal erosion in this country are implemented in an integrated manner involving various government agencies according to their respective jurisdictions and functions.
“Among them are the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM), the Marine Department of Malaysia, the Department of Environment (DOE), PLANMalaysia, state governments as well as relevant local authorities,” according to the ministry in a written reply posted on the Parliament website.
The ministry was responding to a question from Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas) who wanted to know the list of government agencies involved in monitoring coastal erosion nationwide as well as the total number of coastal erosion sites recorded to date.
According to PETRA, DID serves as the technical agency that conducts studies, planning and recommendations for mitigation measures through the ISMP, while the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) carries out research and development (R&D) related to erosion processes.
The ministry informed that the ISMP is an integrated shoreline management plan for comprehensive, planned and sustainable long-term planning of coastal areas, with emphasis on erosion control, protection of assets as well as sensitive coastal areas, flood risk management and coordination of development in coastal areas.
In terms of mitigation, according to PETRA, structural erosion control approaches are implemented for Category 1 coastal areas such as the construction of rock revetments.
For Category 2 and Category 3 coastal areas, non-structural approaches are applied through continuous monitoring as well as erosion prevention by controlling and managing development through development setback methods.
Media Selangor