Shifting paradigm in water resources management: Public willingness to participate in watershed management of Batu Kurau, Perak, Malaysia

Water resources management (WRM) in Malaysia is currently undergoing a period of transformation. A central tenet of integrated water resources management (IWRM) is the active involvement of the public in decision-making processes. The successful implementation of this participatory approach hinges on the public's willingness to participate (WTP). The present study investigates the levels of WTP among residents in three agriculturally-based villages located within the Batu Kurau watershed, a region where local communities depend on the watershed for their water needs. WTP was assessed through a structured questionnaire survey administered to 302 respondents across the three villages. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate various factors potentially influencing WTP, including socioeconomic characteristics, awareness and knowledge of watershed issues, values related to water resource use, satisfaction with both water and watershed management, and perceptions regarding involvement in watershed governance. The findings indicated a high level of WTP, with approximately 80% of respondents expressing support for the involvement in watershed management initiatives. Key determinants of WTP included respondents’ perceived knowledge of watershed-related issues, satisfaction with existing water and watershed management practices, personal water consumption behaviours, and a favourable attitude towards participatory governance in watershed management. In contrast, socioeconomic factors such as income, education, and occupation did not exhibit a statistically significant influence on WTP. Among the critical environmental concerns identified by the respondents, drought and flooding were highlighted as the most pressing issues within the watershed, whereas other concerns were perceived as less significant. All influential variables excluding socioeconomic factors demonstrated a positive correlation with WTP, underscoring the critical role of public awareness and satisfaction in the successful adoption of IWRM. These results affirm the potential for community engagement in the implementation of watershed management programmes, thereby reinforcing the viability of people-centred approaches to IWRM in the Malaysian context. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers seeking to develop watershed management frameworks that are responsive to local environmental challenges, such as drought and flooding, while also enhancing public satisfaction and participation. The integration of such participatory and locally grounded strategies may contribute to more effective and sustainable IWRM outcomes in Malaysia and comparable settings globally.