If you live in Penang, Kedah or Perlis, you may want to join a cycling and running event to conserve the Ulu Muda forests which are the source of your drinking water.
The cycling (and running) event is the first to be organised by WWF-Malaysia to support freshwater conservation efforts in the large forests of Ulu Muda in the more hilly areas of eastern Kedah.
The awareness event calls for the public to cycle 40km along the padi fields in Alor Setar, against the scenic backdrop of Gunung Keriang.
The “Kedah Cycle for Water 2017” event was launched last month to conserve the source of freshwater for the three states.
As the main water resource for the Muda Irrigation Scheme, Ulu Muda is critical to ensuring the livelihood of close to 55,000 farming families in Kedah and Perlis.
In other words, Ulu Muda’s forests help drive the region’s growth in many ways via invaluable environmental services to northern ,Peninsular Malaysia.
‘Kedah Cycle for Water 2017’ is an initiative to create greater awareness of Ulu Muda’s importance in providing environmental services,” said Dr Sundari Ramakrishna, Conservation Director of WWF-Malaysia.
It is also hoped that this platform will help drive Malaysians to play a more active role in the protection of Ulu Muda and the country’s freshwater resources.
Today, close to 663 million people do not have access to safe water – that is roughly one in three people,” said Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz in her opening address at the launch event.