River basin change index for integrated river basin management of Langat River, Malaysia

Abstract A river basin change index (RBCI) is introduced as a management tool to evaluate integrated river basin management (IRBM) implementation. The framework comprises water governance (WG), river basin organisation (RBO) and technical indicators. WG indicators encompass effectiveness, efficiency, trust and engagement. RBO indicators examine the management capacity and resources in operation and expansion. The technical indicators measure the outcome of IRBM implementation corresponding to each policy in the IRBM plan. Data sources range from questionnaire surveys, official reports and recorded data from the relevant agencies. The indices are calculated by comparing the current value to a reference value, which may be historical or target performance, or average performance of other river basins. RBCI value in the range of 0.9–1.1 characterises regular year-to-year fluctuation. A lower index value <0.9 indicates negative basin change, which may be due to negligence, retardation or disastrous regress in the basin IRBM in deteriorating order. A higher index value >1.1 indicates positive basin change which may be attributed to notable improvement, outstanding attainment or breakthrough advances in the basin IRBM in successive order. The tool is useful to facilitate long-term continuous improvement process and is presently undergoing pilot-testing for the Langat River basin, Malaysia