District officer William Sampil releases the fish fry into the Moyog River.
KOTA KINABALU: The Terawi village yesterday launched the Tagah system to revive and protect a seven-kilometre stretch of Moyog River that runs through its zone.
The Kadazan version of Tagal is a fisheries resource management system adapted and driven by the Kuai-Kandazon, Mahandoi, Terawi, Sukod and Bukitas village folks.
Children, adults and tourists participated in the launch of the program at the river banks of the village yesterday.
In more than 10 years from now, I think the river will suffer from further degrade and pollution, said Penampang district officer William Dampil who officiated the program.
Twenty to 30 years of clean river condition had been degenerated by rapid development, over-population and poor garbage management of some homes in surrounding areas, said William.
He added the natural environmental conditions, like flooding, alone also compromised the rivers condition and when combined with the aforementioned factors the deterioration of the river is accelerated.
However, he stated increased awareness is indicative when more villagers have requested for the proper RM10 a month garbage collection services from the district council.
Composting organic wastes had also been exposed and encouraged within the surrounding communities.
This community aspires for a river that is much cleaner after the introduction of Tagal, said the district officer, who is also hopeful that the river would be filled with abundant natural living organisms and fishes.
With cooperation and the right attitude, I do not see any reason why the river cannot retain back its original condition, said William. Its a huge task. Everybody, including you and I, must play a role in achieving this task.
According to the district officer, 5,000 fish fry and prawns were initially released in the river last year and an additional 1,000 fish fry were released at the launch yesterday, in conjunction of the World River Day 2014.
The community will withhold from fishing and disturbing the aquatic lives in the river and the harvesting of river resources would only be done at a certain period of time.
According to NGO Batu Puteh Community Tourism Cooperative or KOPEL, the water in the river is currently not suitable for consumption and contact as it can cause skin irritation.
However, there are still fishes that can survive in the Moyog River and those that cannot would migrate to find suitable water conditions.