However, for the environment as a whole, such restrictions are good news.

Waste collection is down

The Klang River, usually covered in waste, is reportedly thriving again, Malay Mail reported.

According to Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB), its Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) project, which is responsible for the rejuvenation and rehabilitation of the river, has seen less waste being collected from the river since the first MCO, which came into effect in March 2020.

Quoting LLSB managing director Syaiful Azmen Nordin, the report said that the monthly average collection of waste has gone down from 1,500 metric tonnes (MT) in 2016 to about 900MT now.

"Last year during the first month of MCO, collection was at 580MT, and we achieved Class III and better, 90 per cent of days in that one month.

"While we are awaiting the official data for June 2021, which is the first month of our phase one of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), we are expecting a lower volume as well," he was quoted as saying.

He added that the total waste collection in 2020 itself was lower compared to the previous year: a total of 12,000MT of waste was collected in 2020, compared to 12,904MT in 2019.

“Between the first quarter of 2020 and 2021, the average monthly difference in the amount of waste extracted was only a reduction of 5.5 per cent.

“We have been seeing a declining trend in the volume of waste we are extracting from 2016 till now," he told Malay Mail.

However, Syaiful is doubtful that the declining trend would last as the team noticed that the reduction in volume is starting to become smaller, and at some point in the future, it will not be reduced further unless Malaysians start being more mindful about river protection.

Wildlife sightings have increased too

To add to the good news, Syaiful said wildlife sightings have also increased at catalyst project sites such as at the Taman Awam Pangkalan Batu and at their Mangrove Point, which is set to open by the first quarter of 2022.

He added that among the animals spotted include otters, hornbills, eagles and even crocodiles.

Syaiful told Malay Mail that such sightings are a good thing as it indicates a healthier river.