Shawn Lum, President, Nature Society (Singapore)
Today Online 12 Mar 14;
To say that I was encouraged by Minister of State (National Development )Desmond Lee’s parliamentary speech on Monday about Pulau Ubin is an understatement. He has set a new standard for engaging stakeholders on heritage-related matters.
Ubin is already a wonderful place. From a natural heritage perspective, there is reason to believe that it can be even better, with the right planning, input from experts and long-term commitment from the people and public sectors. The National Parks Board has been doing a good job of looking after Ubin’s natural heritage since being tasked with the duty in the 1990s.
Mr Lee’s speech is a reaffirmation of its good work and a call for others to join in a broad community effort to safeguard and improve, where possible, Ubin’s heritage and natural value.
Not only will nature benefit, all Singaporeans will be winners, hopefully for generations to come.
The Nature Society is buoyed by this opportunity to work with the ministry, its statutory boards and other stakeholders to ensure Ubin is managed for everyone’s benefit and demonstrate that what is good for nature is good for people.
