River systems are vital components of the natural environment that offer a public good important to all life. Many of the rivers in Malaysia are categorized as slightly polluted or polluted despite numerous efforts by the government to rehabilitate the water sources. The government depends on technological solutions and contracted workers to conduct regular clean-up activities. These programs are costly and only effective in the short term. Adopting conservation practices that support the active and direct involvement of the community in environmental protection is critical to minimizing water pollution and maintaining water quality in the long term. Conservation efforts increase public awareness about their role as environmental stewards, motivating them to adopt positive behavior changes to protect water sources for the current and future generations. Public educational and awareness campaigns, strict enforcement of environmental regulations, community monitoring, and incentives are effective conservation efforts to facilitate Malaysia's sustainable use and protection of rivers. The paper proposes that conservation is more effective, cheaper, and capable of minimizing river pollution in the long run compared to endless river clean-up programs.
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