Saving endangered species in Singapore: Let's walk the talk

Straits Times Forum 6 Jan 11;

AN INFOBOX ('Rare and endangered species in Singapore'; Dec 25) that accompanied a recent report got me thinking about naturalist Ivan Polunin, who died last month.

One of the species mentioned was the Singapore freshwater crab (Johora singaporensis), found only in Singapore.

A stream that runs past the Polunins' home is one of the few habitats for this crab, a living national treasure.

When modifications to the headwaters of the stream located in a military area cut off the flow of water downstream, a group of volunteers and researchers, together with help from the Polunin family and the Ministry of Defence, tried to salvage this sub-population until water flow could be diverted and restored.

The habitat conservation challenges of this unique crustacean show that maximising the survival of our natural heritage not only involves the efforts of a single statutory board, but also requires changed mindsets about nature across multiple ministries, corporations, and private and public landowners.

While we pay our respects to nature lovers such as the late Mrs Lee Kuan Yew and Dr Polunin, let us translate that respect into action and protect what these pioneers would have loved our children to inherit.

Chong Kwek Yan