RSS Feeds
Rough Road to River Recovery
From providing food to livelihood to transport and recreation, rivers have played central roles in the lives of people in the Asia-Pacific region. Sadly, though, rapid urbanization, apathy, and single-minded pursuit of development have distanced people from their rivers, often allowing them to view the latter as sewage conveyors instead of the community’s lifeblood. Fortunately, more and more countries are recognizing the need to resuscitate and protect their rivers. This issue focuses on the river rehabilitation initiatives in the People’s Republic of China and the Philippines, highlighting the different challenges faced and tough decisions made by the implementors.
Maria Lourdes Fernando: Keeping Marikina River in the Pink of Health
Marikina River’s cleanup was a resounding success but the city government is not resting on its laurels. “We have many strategies to ensure that the river stays clean, and we will continue to dream up more to ensure that we deliver results,” says Marides Fernando, Marikina’s dynamic mayor. True to her word, Marikina has various initiatives to improve the river and its environs—from better solid waste management to waste recovery to flood proofing and more.
Top|
Steps in cleaning up Asia's polluted rivers may be almost formulaic but if crucial steps are ignored, huge cost overruns and delays can be expected. What should one keep in mind? |
Nantai Island's heavily polluted inland rivers are being cleaned by now environmentally enlightened communities along its banks. What accounts for this change in mindset? |
Twenty years since its cleanup started, the tide seems to have turned for the Pasig River. Could initiatives to improve water quality, sanitation, and river infrastructures account for this? | Pollution and siltation have plagued the Jiulongjiang River until the Fujian provincial government invested RMB3 billion in river cleanup in 1999. Has the investment paid off? |
ADB Tests Aakash Ganga Rainwater Harvesting Approach
An ADB pilot project will demonstrate the potential of the Aakash Ganga (River from Sky) domestic rainwater harvesting system in Guiyang Municipality, People's Republic of China. Aakash Ganga has provided drinking water to 10,000 people in 6 water scarce villages in India.
Asia-Pacific Countries Prioritize Sanitation after Dialogue with ADB
Government delegations from 17 countries across the Asia-Pacific region enumerated activities to increase coverage and investments in a sanitation conference with ADB. A follow-up with Viet Nam yielded sanitation actions nowundergoing review. Dialogues with Indonesia and the Philippines are under discussion.
Knowledge Hub on River Basin Management Launched
Indonesia’s Center for River Basin Organization and Management (CRBOM) was launched on 28 April in Solo City as one of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum’s regional knowledge hubs. CRBOM will provide information, analysis, advice, and capacity-development services on river basin organizations and management.
Singapore Water Week Focuses on Sustainable Cities
Upcoming Singapore International Water Week on June 22-26 has for its theme “Sustainable Cities—Infrastructure and Technologies for Water.” ADB is co-organizing the Southeast Asia Business Forum and contributing to a session on “Water Policy Dialogue: Water Governance,” among others.
Workshop to Develop Guidelines on Climate Change Modeling
The National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) is organizing a workshop in Selangor on 26-28 May to develop adaptation guidelines and harmonize climate change modeling for better projections. NAHRIM is the Asia-Pacific Water Forum’s regional knowledge hub on climate change.
Nepal: ADB Approves Grant to Aid Recovery from Monsoon Floods
A US$25.6M ADB grant will help restore economic activity to parts of Nepal devastated by last year's monsoon floods and the landslides that followed. All-important water supply systems will be rebuilt or installed to provide access to drinking water and sanitation facilities.
Pakistan: Strategic Priorities In Five-Year Plan Outlined with ADB
The Government of Pakistan and ADB have designed a new strategic partnership that provides for a US$4.4B lending program for structural reforms and investments. These include strengthening water supply and sanitation services that will yield health and environment improvement dividends.
Viet Nam: ADB Loan to Build Future for Struggling City
A US$72M ADB loan will transform Thanh Hoa into a livable city by financing a large portion of a US$118M development project. Funds from ADB’s Water Financing Partnership Facility will be used to reform and strengthen its water supply and environment companies.
Watch how farmers took the lead in rebuilding their fields, families, and communities. View in English, Acehnese, or Bahasa Indonesia.
View the sanitation difficulties and actions of individuals, communities, and governments in six Asian countries. [ Preview ]
| 11-13 May | International Seminar on Water Resources and Coastal Management in Developing Countries (Manado, Indonesia) |
| 25-27 May | The Pacific Basin Conference on Adsorption Science and Technology (Singapore) |
| 26-27 May | International Conference on Water Resources 2009 (Langkawi, Malaysia) |
| 26-28 May | Workshop on Developing Water and Climate Change Adaptation Guidelines (Selangor, Malaysia) |
| 23-26 Jun | Singapore International Water Week (Suntec, Singapore) |
You have received this electronic newsletter because of your registered interest in water and development issues.
Water for All News is produced by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to provide current information to developing member countries, professionals, researchers, private sector, civil society, academe, and their counterparts in the donor community who are interested in water sector issues that affect the pace of development.
For comments or more information, contact water@adb.org
Disclaimer
ADB provides the information contained in this newsletter and links to its web site solely as a resource. While ADB tries to provide high-quality content on its web site, it does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of this information; and therefore, will not be liable in any capacity for damages or losses to the user that may result from the use of this information. ADB and its affiliate offices, likewise, will not be responsible for any errors, omissions, or inadvertent alterations that may occur in the disclosure of content in this newsletter or on its web site.