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The Conservation Committee has its origin in the
Bird Group's Conservation Committee in the late '80s. In the early '90s, it
was transformed into the Nature Society's Conservation Committee, playing a
wider role within the Council of the Society, with the following functions:
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On 22 November 2008, we finally launched with PUB
at the Kranji Reservoir Adoption Project (under the PUB’s
ABC Waters Programme.) The Launch was officiated by
the Assistant Chief Executive, Mr. Chan Yoon Kum. The Launch was held at the D’Kranji Farm Resort and about 40
plus people (PUB officials, NSS members & guests from both sides)
attended the ceremony. The Adoption involves the care of the The Society had submitted a proposal for the conservation of the Kranji
Marshes in 1990. In 1993, it was designated as a Nature Area in the Singapore
Green Plan. The biodiversity importance of the Marshes was highlighted in the
media when NSS contested the creation in 2002 of the Kranji Sanctuary Golf Course,
which destroyed about 80 % of the marsh north of the BBC Station. After this, the 2003 URA Master Plan (for
the Northern Sector) designated the remaining marshes ‘the The Adoption project will be carried out through
the promotion of nature education and ecological care of the Marsh, with the
overall objective of inculcating nature appreciation among the people. This
is to instill in them fondness for our reservoirs --- so
that care for their cleanliness and sustainable use is not just a matter of
health and survival but also one of pleasure as well. The Kranji Marsh is the last substantial chunk of
freshwater marshland that is extant around the shoreline of the Kranji
Reservoir. The habitat consists of mostly aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation
such as Panicum and Elephant grasses, Ladder and Acrosticum
ferns as well as Simpoh Air on the drier ground. The area is very important for marshland and
grassland birdlife. 59 species of wetland and grassland birds, migrant and resident, are recorded over the last 5 years. Six of these
are species listed in the Singapore Red Data Book and these are the Lesser Whistling
Duck, Red-legged Crake, Grey Heron, White-chested Babbler, Purple Heron and
the Greater Paintedsnipe. The White-chested Babbler
is also globally endangered species. For the other taxonomic groups, not much have been
done in terms of study and survey but the potential for interesting
discoveries of uncommon and rare species is great in terms of reptiles,
amphibians and butterflies. 27 species of butterflies are recorded so far in
the Kranji Marsh and its adjacent areas of scrubland and woodland. This
constitutes 10 % of the total number of species in The
Adoption Programme NSS plans to
implement in stages the following PUB-approved projects at the Kranji
Marsh: I) Care of
Kranji Marsh a) Habitat
Restoration & Enhancement
NSS will unclog the main pond near the PUB Pumping Station to create
an extent of open water. This pond is attractive to birdwatchers as most
marshland species are easily seen here. At present, the pond is so clogged up
with aquatic plants that some species of birds such as the Lesser Whistling
Duck and Common Moorhen are no longer present. Undesirable plants will be
cleared from the general area, especially in the nearby streams, so that open
water areas are available for marshland wildlife. Small-scale enhancement of
the pond habitat (eg. re-introducing native plants)
to attract birds and other wildlife will be done.
b) Deterence Against Poaching
Poaching of wildlife has
been going on for a long time in the environs of Kranji Marsh. NSS members
have encountered poachers going after animals like the Baya
Weaver, White-breasted Waterhen, Monitor Lizards
and Terrapins. Illegal angling is also common along the edge of the waterbody and at the main pond, outside the designated
legal zone. With the initiation of various NSS projects and activities at the
Marsh, and the consequent increase in visitor presence, we expect poaching to
be minimized. Members and walk participants would be encouraged to keep an
eye out for poachers and to report any such incidences to the PUB. NSS will
also counsel and educate all poachers encountered, to desist them from such
activities. II)
Educational Activities a) Nature
Walks
Nature walks for the public (open to only individuals and families)
will be conducted during weekends, at least once a month starting from
January 2009. NSS will also conduct walks for its members on a regular basis.
The walks will start at the junction of Neo Tiew Lane 2 and b) Fun
With Nature
The ongoing Fun with Nature sessions for kids 4-12 years old will be
held here to introduce kids to the ecology of the marshland and its
surrounding countryside. c) Other
Educational Activities
NSS plans to produce various educational materials to enhance the
visitor experience. These include an information board, brochures,
educational plaques along the route etc. III) Study
& Research
NSS will conduct a baseline biodiversity survey of the Marsh and its
surrounding habitats, covering plants, birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
This will be followed by a monitoring programme, after the implementation of
the habitat restoration and enhancement projects. We will also conduct and/or
assist in any ecological studies, especially on endangered marshland species
for rescue and regeneration. IV)
Infrastructure
Bloomberg Singapore has donated $15,000 towards this project, which
will be used to construct rain-cum-lightning shelters as well as viewing
screens at certain key spots. V) Advisorial Role
NSS will continue to
assist PUB in its decision-making and problem-solving processes with the
provision of ecological and biodiversity information on any aspect of waterbody management. The
Conservation Committee would like to thank Mr Khoo Teng
Chye, Chief Executive of PUB for making the Adoption possible; Mr Yap Kheng Guan, Director of
the 3Ps Network, Mr Ng Yew Teck, Manager for Community Relations of the 3Ps
Network and Mr William Lim, Deputy Director of Catchments & Waterways,
for their guidance in formulating the Adoption Programme; as well as Mr Harry
Quek, GM of D’Kranji Farm Resort, for the use of the resort’s facilities and
catering for the event. Nature
Guides Needed! Training Provided
We are
currently in the process of mounting a programme to train nature guides for
the Kranji Marsh Public Nature Walk. This training programme is open to any
committed members of the Society. If interested, please email Dr Ho Hua Chew
at hohc@starhub.net.sg. |
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(Posted
5 December 2008) |
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Sustainable
i)
Wanted: The Government is seeking the Public’s feedback and
ideas for a greener ii)
Website for the Collection of Ideas: www.sustainablesingapore.gov.sg Dear Members
and Friends of Nature, Please refer
to the message from the Government in the Sustainable Singapore website put
up recently by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development.
There is a nation-wide call for ideas from the people to achieve a greener It is
critical if you care about what is happening to nature and the remaining
green areas in The main
issue of particular note is the survival of our inter-tidal and marine
biodiversity and habitats. The four Coral Conservation Areas in the Singapore
Green Plan – Sudong, Hantu,
Recently, The
Straits Times (ST, 25 June 2008) reported that The ST report
does not clarify how much of the 10 % are areas designated (officially &
specifically) in the Singapore Green Plan (SGP) for some form of biodiversity
conservation. What is clear is that SGP 2012 states that only 5 % of the
total land area in These green
areas that have sprung up from the 1980s to the 21st century are mostly
undeveloped areas in our remaining countryside. Yes, we do have a countryside: Contrary to what most Singaporeans presume,
From what we
have gathered, many of these green areas have become refuges for wildlife
that are supposed to be rare or at one time extinct in Singapore, animals
such as the Leopard Cat (eg. Jln
Bahar, What is
highlighted here are the conspicuous animals, but the importance of many of
these areas as habitats for other wildlife (eg.
butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles etc.) is not precluded, given the
promising discovery of such rare species as the Banded Krait at Khatib Bongsu, the Twin-barred Tree Snake at Springleaf,
the Pandita sinope
(butterfly) at Kranji, and the Indothemis
limbata (dragonfly) at Marina South and Marina
East. These green
areas should not be merely regarded as land banks for future development.
They are our living treasure and natural heritage – a heritage that will
enhance Given that
10% of these green areas are already set aside as nature reserves and parks,
we are then left with 37% of land whose green future is largely uncertain.
These include land that were once designated as Nature Areas in the Singapore
Green Plan – Pulau Semakau, Mandai Estuary, Sungei Khatib Bongsu – but now, like the four Coral Conservation
Areas, have also been de-listed from that category and are subject to the
vagaries of economic forces. Given that there is
still a lot of green areas that exist, should we be content to allow only 5 %
or even 10% of it to be set aside for biodiversity/nature conservation? I appeal to
you to take time to visit the Sustainable Singapore website and ponder carefully
over the future of our remaining green areas, and to give a piece of your
mind to the Government with the ultimate goal of making Singapore a model of
an all-round green nation to the world. If you do, please feel free to go
beyond what is expressed here, such that a variety of new and bold ideas will
be served up, stimulating a fresh impetus towards a greener Singapore. |
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(Posted
10 April 2008) A) URA’s
Punggol Coastal Recreational Plan A Feedback on this Plan was
submitted to the CEO of URA on 3 March 2008. The objective of the Feedback is
to provide biodiversity information in that area to
enhance the ecological dimension of the Plan. The official plan includes a
2.4 km Nature Walk along the coast facing Pulau Serangoon ( The Conservation Committee
would like to thank the following members of The Bird Group and the
Conservation Volunteers for the assistant rendered in the formulation of this
feedback: Angie Ng, Ben Lee, Ching Chabo, Cyril Ng, Ho
Hua Chew, Hsu Chia Chi, Julia McLachlan, Leong Kwok
Peng, Serene Tang, Sutari Supari,
Willie Foo, Wing Chong, Wong Chung Cheong.
Chair, Conservation Committee |
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(Posted
18 February 2008)
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(Posted
18 February 2008) |
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ADDRESS:
89 SOO CHOW GARDEN ROAD SINGAPORE 575526 Ref:zcorr01/ Date: The Editor, The Forum Page,
Straits Times email:
stforum@sph.com.sg The Straits Times recently
carried articles concerning STB’s potential plan to
create an eco-tourism area near the Zoological Gardens. Needless to say, STB’s intention is good, for increased tourism would mean
more money for Singapore. However, the question as raised by the Nature
Society is that such a project, involving removal of vegetation and
construction of buildings, etc., would affect the plant and animal ecology,
not only of the subject site but also that of the Nature Reserve, although
the subject site, covering some 30 ha in size, is not part of the Nature
Reserve. Based on the map appearing
in the Straits Times in connection with Lim Wei Chean’s article (Dec 7, 2007) and from the relevant
biodiversity information I could gather, I would agree with the Society that,
for STB’s proposed development, it would be far
better to make use of the adjacent alternative site (hugging close to the
Bukit Timah Expressway) proposed by the Society. I am not worried about plants in the
present case, but the various animal species still found in the Reserve,
especially the rare and endangered species. If the forest of the STB site is
undisturbed, then the area would act as a good link or fording area for these
precious animals to go between the forest on one side of the Mandai Lake Road to the other. If the two STB
proposed sites are used, then the
fording link would be lost, and this would lead to isolation of the animal
populations. The alternative site
proposed by the Nature Society is quite close to the Zoo and it would not be
difficult for tourists to go from there to the Zoo and the Night Sarfari, should this be a desirable consideration. Indeed
with some planning, one could build an aerial link between the alternative
site and the Zoo or Night Safari. With such an aerial link, visitors would
cause minimal disturbance to the animal populations, day or night, while
going between the two areas. The article under “Think” –
Mandai at Risk? (ST Nov 25) has
cautioned us that Singapore is not a choiced site
for such touristic activities. I would say that if
we wish to promote eco-tourism, it is better for the tourists to have
excursions from their hotels which is not far away rather than from new
chalets set up at the edge of the Reserves --- so that there will be minimal disturbance to the natural
environment. Wong Yew Kwan Former Commissioner of Parks
& Recreation
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Reforming the Wild Animals
and Birds Act | Transview Golf Course | Gardens by the Bay | Meeting
with AVA |
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NSS
Proposal for reforming the Wild Animals and Birds Act The
review with recommendations for reforming the Wild Animals and Birds Act was finally
completed and submitted to the Agri-Food &
Veterinary Authority (AVA) on 15
September 2007 with CC-copies to the Minister of National Development and
National Parks Board. The review is comprehensive and
covers the following topics and issues: 1)
Definition of ‘Wild Animals’. 2)
Need & scope of the ‘Offences Section’ 3)
Extending anti-poaching measures a) Possession offences; b) Vicarious/ employer liabilities; c) Hurting, disturbing, harassing &
torturing wild animals & birds; d) Protection of bird nests. 4)
Penalties 5)
Legitimate killing of wild animals 6)
The use of spring guns, engines, stakes & pitfalls 7)
Import & export of non-CITES listed species 8)
The outlawed birds --- delisting of Purple-backed Starling & Common Myna 9)
Wild Animals & Birds (Bird Sanctuaries) Order 10)
Consolidating & clarifying existing laws & practice on
licensing.
Parliament
with the assistance of both AVA and NParks has
taken commendable and far reaching steps to protect wild animals and birds by
strengthening the provisions contained in the Parks and Trees Act and the
Endangered Species Act. These enactments deal respectively with the problems
relating to the conservation of species in Singapore Nature Reserves and National
Parks and the international trade in CITES listed species.
In order to complement these provisions we believe that parliament and the
authorities should seek to strengthen the provisions of the Wild Animals and
Birds Act which remains the principal legislative enactment for the
protection of wild animals and birds in Singapore.
The recommendations contained in the proposal reflect the views of a wide
range of individuals from conservationists involved in the protection of
wild animals and birds in Singapore to nature enthusiasts and animal
(and bird) lovers who believe that Singapore's urban landscape will
benefit immensely from having an ecological element. It also represents a
year of internal deliberation and consultation by the Nature Society
where the views of various members were sought on the best way to protect
wildlife in Singapore.
The proposal not only looks at combating poaching and associated
activities in Singapore but also aims to enhance the welfare of wild
animals in Singapore, including those kept in captivity. The proposal also
stems from the very positive meeting that the Nature Society had with AVA
more than a year ago during which we highlighted our concerns in relation to
the taking of bird nests, the status of Singapore's outlaw birds and the
practice of net fishing especially in inter-tidal areas. We are grateful to
AVA for listening to our concerns and emerged with a greater appreciation of
some of the challenges they face especially in combating poaching.
We trust that this proposal will
go a long way towards assisting AVA in dealing with the many issues that
confront the protection of wildlife in Singapore. We
would like to record our sincere thanks to Alan Owyong, Ching
Chabo Gloria Seow, Hsu Chia Chi, Leong Kwok Peng,
Lim Kim Seng, Margie Hall, Nick Baker Richard Hale and Yeo Suay Hwee for taking the time
to go through the proposal and for their invaluable comments and suggestions. We
would also like to take this opportunity to thank Alfred Chia, Amy Tsang,
Ashley Ng, Cyril Ng, Ben Lee, Betty Vong, Cheong
Loong Fah, James Heng, Jim Tietjen, Kelvin Chen,
Kenneth Kee, Peter T. K. Wong, R. Subaraj, Serene
Tang, Sutari Supari, Tang
Hung Bun, Tsang Kwok Choong, Ulf Remahl, Wang Luang Keng, Willie Foo and Yang Chen Lin who over the years
have brought to our attention wildlife offences committed in Singapore and
who have given an insight into the problems and challenges faced in this
respect. Finally
we would like to especially thank Dr. Astrid Yeo and her team at AVA for
taking the time to meet us and for giving us an insight into the
administrative and technical issues faced in the protection of wildlife in
Singapore. We sincerely hope that this proposal will be of assistance to AVA
in its continuing effort to tackle the protection of wildlife in Singapore
and look forward to supporting them in this respect. The proposal
was prepared by Vinayagan Dharmarajah,
Lye Lin Heng & Ho Hua Chew. The Defunct Transview Golf Course (Dover Road) A biodiversity feedback report was
prepared by the Bird Group after two bird survey sessions and submitted to
the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) on 13 September 2007. SLA has kindly
forwarded our feedback to NUS which is now planning for a university town in
this area. The defunct Transview Golf Course is
located between Dover Road and the AYE and is currently under the
jurisdiction of the SLA. The
area is rich in birdlife for a golf-course in the suburban zone. 42 species,
resident and migrant, were recorded. 32 species are resident, among which
are the Spotted Wood Owl, the
Changeable Hawk Eagle and the Banded bay Cuckoo. The Spotted Wood Owl and the
Changeable Hawk Eagle are nationally threatened species. We
are not against the development of the university town and has put forward
our recommendations as eco-guidelines for any forthcoming development
plans to be contributive
towards the national goal of sustainable
development. We would like to thank the following for assisting in the surveys and
for providing suggestions and information to the feedback: Alan Owyong, Cyril
Ng, Ho Hua Chew, Jimmy Chew, Sutari Supari & Willie Foo.
Nature Society’s feedback on the Gardens by the
Bays Designs NSS was
invited to the Focus Study Group on the two winning designs of the
international Design Competition.
Angie Ng & Hua Chew attended the group session on 19 September as
representatives of the NSS. The areas
designated for the gardens (Marina South and Marina East), although reclaimed
lands, have over the past decade or so harboured a rich birdlife. A written feedback report was formulated
for the two winning designs and was submitted to Dr. Tan Wee Kiat, the Project Director (Nparks)
on 9 October. This report will be made
accessible on the website ConservationSingapore as
soon as possible. Nature
Society’s feedback on the Gardens by the Bays Designs – Download full report.
(MSWord file) Meeting
with Agri-food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) Hua Chew
& Vina had a meeting with a senior staff
together with two others of the Import & Export Division on 25 Sep at the
AVA office. In this meeting, we
expressed NSS’s concerns with the increasing problem
of poaching, the designation of six bird species as outlaws and the using
& discarding of fishing nets in the inter-tidal shore & inland waterbodies. The
following proposals were mooted and discussed.
The
discussion is pretty useful and some insights into the difficulties or
problems in implementing the legal measures mooted above are gained. We believe that these difficulties or
problems are not insurmountable. We
informed the senior staff that a formal presentation of our concerns and
proposals will be submitted later. The
senior staff assured us that AVA welcomes and will consider carefully our
feedback & recommendations to tighten and shore up the gaps or
inadequacies in the legal measures for the protection of Singapore’s
wildlife. Vina & Hua Chew is
currently working on a draft of this formal representation and it will be
ready for submission soon. Proposal
for NSS management of Kranji Marshes Park This
document was submitted to URA, PUB, & Nparks on
July 2006. It makes the case that the
URA-designated Kranji Marshes Park at the end of Neo Tiew Lane 2 together
with a patch of woodland adjacent to it at the Turut Track area be awarded to
the Nature Society for the purpose of its management. The area in total is estimated at 39
hectares and is a major freshwater marshland habitat in Singapore harbouring
a rich biodiversity in terms of its birdlife and butterflies. As far as the Society is aware, no
organization has been assigned to manage it.
There is an urgent need to implement eco-management to this sensitive
nature area given the developmental pressures that are now existing and that
are to come in the near future. Apart
from the promotion of nature-oriented recreational, educational and
environmental values for Singaporeans and foreign visitors, the Society
envisages that the Park could be nurtured into a centre for freshwater
marshland management within the urban context with the implementation of
management training programmes that will be useful for nature
conservationists and related environmental professionals in Singapore and the
region. The Society’s envisaged
management of the Park will be complementary to the management work of the
National Parks while adding a new dimension to the conservation effort in
Singapore by exemplifying the Principle of the Three Ps of our Singapore
Green Plan, i.e., the involvement and harmonious integration of the People,
the Public and the Private in working towards an ecologically green
environment . We are
still awaiting the decision on this proposal. Currently,
about a quarter of the pond area will be used for a marshland pollution
filter project --- a PUB-NTU pilot study spanning two years. Part of the project involves the erection
of an earth-bund across a corner of the pond to separate the filtered from
the unfiltered water. The construction
work has begun and the birdlife using the pond are affected during the
construction.. We hope they will all
return soon when the construction work is done. Appeal
to Save the Coastal Forest at Sentosa We
understand that the Resorts World’s plan for the Sentosa integrated Resort
involves the use of the coastal forest north of Siloso
Road. It appears to us that the forest
is already being prepared to be cleaned up – with only selected trees that
are mature and of botanical interest to be left standing. This will convert the area from a
self-sustaining forest to a parkland, which will be clean and neat but
requiring a high degree of maintenance.
It is not clear what the actual usage for the area is going to be but
whatever is the plan to be finalized, we strongly urged that the forest be
left as it is as a forest eco-system.
Apart from alien species, the cutting and clearing of the undergrowth
and any plants that have grown naturally over the area leaving only the old,
tall or interesting specimens standing will constitute a destruction of the
forest ecosystem. Download full report.
(MSWord file) Singapore Green Plan Action Programmes Feedback to The Singapore Green Plan 2012 (2002) Download
file (MSWord file) Photographs
submitted by Tang Hung Ban taken at Kranji - link
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