Straits Times Forum 2 Jul 09;
I REFER to the Forum Online letter by Mr Patrick Low, 'Why fine owner $6,000 for felling trees on his property?' (June 24).
Singapore is a densely built city-state that has achieved international recognition as a garden city. This did not come about by chance. The luxuriant greenery Singapore enjoys today is a result of the Government and community's deliberate efforts and commitment in planting and painstakingly maintaining trees over many years.
Singapore's tree conservation policy underpins this commitment. To preserve the ambience of areas where there are many mature trees, two Tree Conservation Areas were designated in the 1990s. The felling of healthy trees above 1m in girth without approval is not allowed within the designated Tree Conservation Areas, and offenders can be fined up to $50,000 under the Parks and Trees Act.
In the case of Mr Low's friend, he was fined for the unauthorised felling of three trees, with girths above 1m, in a Tree Conservation Area. Action was also taken against his contractor, which was not an NParks contractor, for the unauthorised felling of the trees. NParks met Mr Low's friend, his contractor as well as his architect to explain the seriousness of felling the three trees, and Mr Low's friend paid the fine.
Lee Pin Pin (Ms)
Deputy Director/Corporate & Marketing Communications
National Parks Board
