(3) Community Garden Initiatives

W.A.T.E.R Project supports several communities at Desa Mentari with community garden initiatives as HEART Approach for them to adopt river monitoring and water saving practices. The communities benefitting from the initiative include Block 1 Desa Mentari, Block 3 Desa Mentari and Block 11 Desa Mentari.

Blok 1 Community Garden

Blok 3 Community Garden

Blok 11 Community Garden

(4) River Clean-Ups

An awareness programme to remind the communities on their ownership and responsibility to keep their rivers clean.

Latest Updates

1)Sungai Way River Cleanup

On 18 May 2025, a total of 20 volunteers—comprising 19 college students and 1 lecturer from Sunway University—participated in the Sungai Way River Cleanup Siri 1/2025 under  W.A.T.E.R. Project. In the morning, volunteers gathered for an introductory briefing on the significance of river clean up initiatives. Following that, tools such as gloves, boots, trash pickers, and garbage bags were distributed. Before the cleanup commenced, the volunteers were introduced to the concept of RIVER Ranger 2.0  Monitoring Programme, demonstrating both physical and chemical methods for water quality assessment.

The cleanup covered river and the community park adjacent to the river. As volunteers carried out their tasks, they were encouraged to observe and identify environmental issues contributing to river pollution. Dr. Kalithasan highlighted ongoing protection efforts, including the wetland planting such as aquatic umbrella plants (Cyperus alternifolius) and the installation of river care educational signboards by the river.

After the cleanup, volunteers segregated and weighed the collected waste. A total of 25.7 kg of waste was collected, consisting of:
•    Plastic: 27.24%
•    Others: 36.58%
•    Glass: 7.9%
•    Paper: 3.1%
•    Cans: 1.6%
•    Non-Recyclables: 19.8%
•    Organic Waste: 3.9%

The volunteers were also introduced to the log boom system installed, designing to trap large debris and prevent blockages in the river. The event concluded with a sharing session based on their level of understanding and actions, which can contribute to ongoing efforts to protect and preserve our water resources.

 

2) River Walk with the General Public

On 17 August 2025, a total of 26 participants – 15 adults and 11 children – took part in the River Walk along the Bukit Kiara Keladi Trail from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

The programme began with a short introduction to the Global Environment Centre (GEC) and the W.A.T.E.R Project, supported by the SPARK Foundation, followed by an overview of the background of Sungai Penchala.

The River Walk featured four interactive learning stations:

• Station 1 – Source of Sungai Penchala
  Participants were guided to search for the tiny droplets of water that eventually merge to form Sungai Penchala, creating a sense of connection with the river’s origin.

• Station 2 – Voice of the Stream
  Along the Keladi Trail, participants sat quietly by the riverbank to tune in to the “voice” of the stream and the surrounding natural sounds, fostering mindfulness and appreciation of the river’s presence.

• Station 3 – Meandering
  Here, the group explored the importance of river meanders in maintaining ecosystem health and aiding water retention. They compared the river’s natural curves with straightened, concrete-lined rivers in urban areas, sparking discussions on the value of natural river systems.

• Station 4 – Water Quality Monitoring
  The GEC team introduced three monitoring methods: physical, chemical, and biological. Participants began by observing the river’s environment, then assisted in chemical testing and data recording using the River Ranger Datasheet. The highlight was biological monitoring, where participants entered the water under the guidance of the GEC team. Together, they discovered species such as shrimp, river prawns, caddisfly nymphs, and small fish – clear indicators that clean rivers are vital habitats for aquatic life.

The event ended with a sharing and reflection session, where participants expressed a deeper appreciation for rivers and the ecosystems they support. The River Walk successfully wrapped up at 11:30 AM, leaving participants inspired to value and protect waterways like Sungai Penchala.

3) River Walk with Spark Foundation team and general public

On 20 September 2025, a total of 21 participants – 20 adults and 1 child – joined the River Walk along the Bukit Kiara Keladi Trail.

The programme began at Station 1 – Source of Sungai Penchala, where Dr. K. Kalithasan and Ms. Jagedes introduced the Global Environment Centre (GEC) and the W.A.T.E.R Project, funded by the SPARK Foundation. Participants were then invited to trace the journey of tiny water droplets that merge to form the Sungai Penchala stream, building awareness of the river’s origins.

At Station 2 – Voice of the Stream, participants sat quietly along the riverbanks to tune in to the sounds of flowing water and surrounding nature, guided by reflections from Dr. Kali and Ms. Jage on the significance of living rivers.

The walk continued to Station 3 – Meandering, where participants learned about the importance of natural river bends in maintaining ecosystem health and water retention, and compared them with straightened, concrete-lined rivers often seen in urban areas.

The final stop, Station 4 – Water Quality Monitoring, introduced three monitoring methods: physical, chemical, and biological. Participants observed the river environment, assisted in chemical testing, and recorded their findings in the River Ranger Datasheet. Under GEC’s guidance, they also took part in biological monitoring by entering the river and identifying aquatic life. By the end of the session, the group had discovered six species, including shrimps, prawns, insects, and small fish — a strong indicator of the river’s ecological health and the dependence of aquatic species on clean water.

The River Walk concluded with a sharing and reflection session, where participants expressed their appreciation for rivers and a renewed sense of responsibility to protect Sungai Penchala.
 

2026 INITIATIVES

 

1) Community Volunteer Programme at Kebuniti RA Dua Dua with Methodist College Kuala Lumpur

On 31 May 2026, Global Environment Centre (GEC) organised a Community Volunteer Programme at Kebuniti R.A. Dua Dua, Petaling Jaya, in collaboration with the Seksyen 22 Petaling Jaya community, who manage the community garden, and volunteers from Methodist College Kuala Lumpur. The programme aimed to promote environmental stewardship, strengthen community engagement, and support the maintenance of the community garden through volunteer participation.

The programme began with a site introduction, safety briefing, and group allocation before participants carried out various gardening and maintenance activities alongside members of the Seksyen 22 community. These activities included weeding and trimming, clearing vegetation, applying fertiliser, and composting organic waste to improve the condition of the community garden.

An educational session was later conducted to raise awareness on the importance of pollinators, alternative water supply methods, and do-it-yourself (DIY) rainwater harvesting systems. The programme concluded with a sharing session, during which participants reflected on the day's activities and learned about the future plans of the Seksyen 22 community for the continued development of the community garden.

Overall, the programme provided participants with valuable hands-on experience in community gardening while fostering environmental awareness, teamwork, and stronger collaboration between volunteers and the Seksyen 22 Petaling Jaya community in sustaining their community-led green space.

 

 

2) Community Volunteer Programme at Kebun Komuniti Pusat Maklumat Sungai Way with R.E.A.L Schools Shah Alam

On 13 June 2026, Global Environment Centre (GEC), with the support of SPARK Foundation, organised a Community Volunteer Programme at Kebun Komuniti Pusat Maklumat Sungai Way, Petaling Jaya, involving students from R.E.A.L Schools Shah Alam. The programme provided participants with hands-on exposure to environmental conservation, community gardening, and sustainable practices through a range of interactive activities.

The programme began with a river water quality monitoring session at Sungai Way, where participants learned about river health assessment and the importance of key water quality parameters. Participants were then divided into groups to carry out community clean-up and gardening activities, including planting hydroponic vegetables such as mustard greens (sawi) and water spinach (kangkung), cleaning the fish pond and futsal court areas, clearing tree-cutting debris, and preparing soil for ornamental plant landscaping.

The programme concluded with a sharing session by Ms Jagedeswari, Senior Coordinator of GEC, followed by a guided tour of the community garden featuring traditional herbal plants, fruit trees, and vegetable crops. Participants also had the opportunity to taste local fruits such as star gooseberry (buah cermai) and jackfruit (nangka).

Overall, the programme provided valuable hands-on learning experiences while fostering environmental responsibility, teamwork, and a greater appreciation for community-led green spaces and sustainable living.

 

   

3) River Walk at Bukit Kiara 

On 23 July 2026, Global Environment Centre (GEC), in collaboration with SPARK Foundation through the W.A.T.E.R. Project, successfully organised the Bukit Kiara River Walk at Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. The programme brought together 30 participants, ranging in age from 5 to 77 years old, for an educational and immersive experience exploring the forest and river ecosystem along the Keladi Trail.

Participants took part in a guided river walk through four interactive learning stations located along the Keladi Trail. At Station 1 – Source of Sungai Penchala, participants learned about the origin of the river and how small water droplets combine to form the headwaters of Sungai Penchala. At Station 2 – Voice of the Stream, participants experienced the sounds of a living river and explored the importance of healthy freshwater ecosystems. The walk continued to Station 3 – Meandering, where participants learned how natural river bends support ecosystem health, reduce erosion, and improve water retention compared to straightened, concrete-lined rivers. The final stop, Station 4 – Water Quality Monitoring, introduced participants to physical, chemical, and biological methods of assessing river health, with opportunities to observe the river environment, conduct simple water quality tests, and record their findings.

Throughout the programme, participants also observed the diverse flora, fauna, and riverine vegetation found within Bukit Kiara, gaining a greater appreciation of the area's rich biodiversity and the close relationship between forests and healthy river ecosystems.

Overall, the Bukit Kiara River Walk demonstrated how experiential learning can inspire environmental responsibility while fostering a deeper appreciation of biodiversity and the importance of conserving healthy freshwater ecosystems for future generations.