Best of our wild blogs: 8 Dec 14

Youths for Ubin: a focus group discussion by Youth for Ecology 21 Dec (Sun)
from wild shores of singapore

Melastoma malabathricum and buzz pollination
from Bird Ecology Study Group

Striped Keelback (Xenochrophis vittatus) @ Sungei Buloh
from Monday Morgue

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Notes from Pulau Ubin

SundayLife! spends one day with Pulau Ubin residents to photograph them and experience life on the island
DESMOND LIM Straits Times 7 Dec 14;

He sits in the driver's seat with one leg propped up. A worn, yellowing polo T-shirt hangs loose on his tanned, scrawny frame.

"What do you want?" asks the driver in the beaten-up mini bus, raising his eyebrows over beady eyes.

I am at Pulau Ubin for the day, trying to find someone to let me spend a day with and photograph his life.

"I can help you," says the man, rolling a cigarette from loose tobacco. "I'll take you to meet some of the friendlier residents."

And so begins my journey with Mr Lim Cheng Tek, 56.

A former islander, he was born and grew up in a kampung on Ubin, but moved to a flat in Changi Village in 2000 so that his three children, now aged 18, 16 and eight, could attend school on mainland Singapore.

These days, he and his homemaker wife still live in Changi Village, but he takes the 15-minute ferry ride to and from Ubin daily, where he works as a taxi driver.

As we grind along the sandy roads, he tells me he prefers the austere life on Ubin. "Living in a flat is like living in a prison," he says. "Everyone goes home and shuts the front door. How is this different from a prison cell?"

Last Sunday, the Government announced plans to conserve and protect the rustic charm of the north-eastern island. These initiatives, which will take place over the next few years, include restoring its eroding shorelines, reforestation and preserving its wildlife.

But Ubin's rustic beauty, it seems, is not enough to keep residents rooted. Since 1987, the island's population has dwindled from about 1,000 to 30.

We pull up in front of a wooden house, painted mint green. Looking like it is held together by nothing but a handful of nails, the simple dwelling is home to Mr Tan Leong Kiat.

It was his love for cultivating medicinal herbs that brought the 84-year-old to Pulau Ubin 24 years ago.

"There was no place for me to grow my herbs near my flat in Bishan. So my friends suggested I move to Pulau Ubin," says Mr Tan, who was a pig farmer before he retired.

And so he moved. He sank $10,000 in savings into his mint-green house and never looked back.

Mr Tan's eight children and 25 grandchildren visit him on some weekends. His wife lives on the mainland and runs a dessert stall in Bedok.

For the most part, he lives alone, and spends his time growing and foraging for medicinal herbs, then selling them for a small allowance of about $500 each month.

Ubin natives mostly earn their keep running small businesses like bicycle rental, taxi services and restaurants that cater to the 2,000 to 3,000 visitors every weekend.

Mr Chu Yok Choon, a long-time resident, says: "We don't make a lot of money. But it is enough to get by."

"There's nothing to spend your money on on the island anyway," adds the 69-year-old, who declines to reveal how much he earns.

Together with his wife, he runs a bicycle rental business near the jetty where the cluster of shops and eateries are. Depending on the type of bicycle, rental costs $5 to $20 at his shop.

The locals fondly refer to the place as "Orchard Road" because of the commercial activities there.

Mr Chu met his wife, Yang Hui Qing, 60, on the island. They grew up, got married, and hosted their wedding banquet on the island more than 30 years ago.

Although Mr Chu's son and daughter have started their own families on the mainland, the family makes it a point to have their Chinese New Year's eve reunion dinner on the island every year.

Mention the Government's plans to conserve the eco-system of the island, and Mr Chu says: "We are more concerned about the practical aspects of our daily living."

But he acknowledges that it is also important to "preserve Ubin as much as possible". "Otherwise visitors will stop coming and that will affect our livelihood."

As the sun sets, the island gets quieter and visitors hurriedly make their way to the jetty to catch the last ferry out.

Save for the rumbling of diesel-powered generators and occasional chattering from residents nursing bottles of beer at the nearby seafood restaurant, the island folds itself into a soothing stillness.

I stand by the door of Mr Chu's bicycle shop and silently observe him having dinner with his wife and brother-in-law. Theirs is simple fare: leftovers from lunch, fried fish and bitter gourd.

Mr Chu is reluctant to move to the mainland because of the high cost of living, he says. But I suspect that the real reason is his emotional attachment to the island once known for its granite quarries.

The Ubin way of life, after all, is the only kind he has ever known.


Mr Chu Yok Choon combs his hair after a shower while his wife, Yang Hui Qing (both above), prepares dinner. The couple spend most of their time tending to their bicycle rental business in a shop next to their house. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM


Mr Chu, an avid fisherman, washes his fishing net (above) after closing his shop, and checks his net for catches. He cherishes the freedom island life gives him. “I can fish anytime I want to,” he says. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM


Mr Chu, an avid fisherman, washes his fishing net after closing his shop, and checks his net for catches (above). He cherishes the freedom island life gives him. “I can fish anytime I want to,” he says. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM


Mr Chu, his wife and brother-in-law having dinner at the end of the day. Meals on the island are usually kept simple. Residents also make regular trips back to the mainland to shop for groceries at the Changi Village market. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM


Mr Chu watching television (above) before turning in for the night. According to him, residents on the island usually sleep and wake early because there is not much to do after nightfall. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM


Mr Chu and his wife at their bicycle rental shop (above). Mr Chu also offers rental of his small fleet of mini buses and lorries to supplement the household income. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM


Mr Tan Leong Kiat (left), 84, is the oldest resident on Pulau Ubin, and Mr Mohammad Fadil (right), 30, is the youngest. Mr Tan moved to the island because he wanted to plant herbs. Mr Mohammad, a bachelor, spent time on the island as a child, but moved out for his studies. About five years ago, the idyllic charm of the island drew him back. The freelance kayaking instructor now lives with his father in a wooden house on the island. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM

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Mall flooded, trees felled amid thunderstorms

Channel NewsAsia 7 Dec 14;

SINGAPORE: Strong winds amid a thunderstorm on Sunday (Dec 7) saw trees toppling in various parts of Singapore and a mall in Tampines flooded.

Two levels of Tampines Mall were flooded after a heavy downpour on Sunday afternoon. Ms Chow May Kee, who called the MediaCorp hotline (68 2222 68) at about 3pm, said that the second and third floors of the mall were flooded, and there was water flowing down the staircase of the second level.

A caller who identified herself as Ms Sheryl sent photos of a tree that had fallen on a hill next to Block 2 Holland Avenue, and was blocking the walkway.

Another caller, Mr Xu, said a tree had also fallen near a flyover at Kaki Bukit Avenue 4, causing traffic to be backed up.

The National Environment Agency sent out advisories on Twitter at 3.10pm and 5pm, warning of thunderstorms with gusty wind in the afternoon and early evening over many parts of Singapore. The PUB also tweeted of high water levels at Leng Kee Road and Prince Philip Avenue.

- CNA/cy

Flooding, fallen trees as heavy rain batters Singapore
AMANDA LEE Today Online 8 Dec 14;

SINGAPORE — Heavy rain and gusty winds lashed the island yesterday, felling trees in several locations and causing brief flooding in a shopping mall.

The National Environment Agency issued warnings of heavy thundery showers with gusty wind over many parts of Singapore on Twitter in the afternoon.

PUB also posted on Twitter about high water levels at Leng Kee Road and Prince Philip Avenue.

Members of the public who called the MediaCorp hotline sent pictures of fallen trees at various locations, including an uprooted tree on a hill beside Holland Avenue Block 2 and another at Kaki Bukit Avenue 4 near a flyover.

In the east, several sections of Tampines Mall were flooded yesterday as the inlets, which were meant to channel rainwater collected from the rooftop of the mall to the external drainage, could not cope with the excessive rainwater.

Responding to TODAY’s queries, the mall’s marketing communications manager Sarah Lua said its staff noticed an overflow of water at parts of level two of the mall at about 3.10pm.

She said the unusually heavy amount of rainfall over a short period of time caused the rainwater to overflow from the rainwater inlets and some excess water flowed to small parts of the common areas on levels two and three of the shopping mall.

“We immediately cordoned off the affected areas,” said Ms Lua.

The mall resumed full normal operations at about 4.25pm after it had been entirely cleaned up, added Ms Lua.

Rain pours into Tampines Mall
AMANDA LEE Today Online 7 Dec 14;

SINGAPORE – The sudden heavy downpour this afternoon (Dec 7) caused some sections of Tampines Mall to flood as inlets meant to channel rainwater collected from the mall's roof top to external drainage could not cope with the excess rainwater.

"The unusually heavy amount of rainfall over a short period of time caused rainwater to overflow from our rainwater inlets and some excess water flowed to a small part of the common areas on Levels 2 and 3 of our mall," said Ms Sarah Lua, Marketing Communications Manager – Tampines Mall, in response to queries.

Ms Lua said the mall's staff noticed the "overflow of water" at sections of level 2 of the mall at about 3.10pm. "We immediately cordoned off the affected areas and redirected shoppers away. We mobilised our staff to mop up the floor and put dryers in the common areas. No one was hurt in the incident, although the overflowed rainwater affected several of our tenants," she said.

Tampines Mall resumed full operations at about 4.25pm after the mall was cleaned up. "We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to our affected tenants and shoppers, and are putting steps in place to prevent a recurrence," said Ms Lua.

Pictures shared on social media showed rain pouring in from the roof of the outdoor area of the mall, while large puddles of water were seen inside the mall. Twitter user @wongyuetying said the rain had been "very heavy".

A MediaCorp hotline caller, Ms Chow May Kee, 44, said she was at the SingTel shop at about 3pm, when she noticed water on the second floor. It was coming from a staircase besides Giordano, and staff were clearing the water away with a broom.

Some people who were at Tampines Mall also shared the incident on Twitter:

Rain pours into Tampines Mall
AMANDA LEE Today Online 7 Dec 14;

SINGAPORE – The sudden heavy downpour this afternoon (Dec 7) caused some sections of Tampines Mall to flood as inlets meant to channel rainwater collected from the mall's roof top to external drainage could not cope with the excess rainwater.

"The unusually heavy amount of rainfall over a short period of time caused rainwater to overflow from our rainwater inlets and some excess water flowed to a small part of the common areas on Levels 2 and 3 of our mall," said Ms Sarah Lua, Marketing Communications Manager – Tampines Mall, in response to queries.

Ms Lua said the mall's staff noticed the "overflow of water" at sections of level 2 of the mall at about 3.10pm. "We immediately cordoned off the affected areas and redirected shoppers away. We mobilised our staff to mop up the floor and put dryers in the common areas. No one was hurt in the incident, although the overflowed rainwater affected several of our tenants," she said.

Tampines Mall resumed full operations at about 4.25pm after the mall was cleaned up. "We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to our affected tenants and shoppers, and are putting steps in place to prevent a recurrence," said Ms Lua.

Pictures shared on social media showed rain pouring in from the roof of the outdoor area of the mall, while large puddles of water were seen inside the mall. Twitter user @wongyuetying said the rain had been "very heavy".

A MediaCorp hotline caller, Ms Chow May Kee, 44, said she was at the SingTel shop at about 3pm, when she noticed water on the second floor. It was coming from a staircase besides Giordano, and staff were clearing the water away with a broom.

Some people who were at Tampines Mall also shared the incident on Twitter.

More wet weather ahead after weekend deluge
JANICE HENG Straits Times 8 Dec 14;

SINGAPORE - Heavy rains and strong winds felled trees and flooded a shopping mall over the weekend, with the wet weather expected to continue into this week.


On Sunday afternoon, the National Environment Agency warned of "heavy thundery showers with gusty wind" over the north and east of the island, as Singapore faces the annual north-east monsoon.

The PUB also noted that water levels had risen above 90 per cent in canals at Leng Kee Road and Prince Philip Avenue, with a "high flood risk". Though the water levels fell back below the 90 per cent mark shortly afterwards, the high flood risk remained.

There was indeed a flood of sorts, in the east - though not due to canals bursting their banks. Water pooled on the second and third levels of Tampines Mall, after its rooftop drainage system could not handle an afternoon downpour.

The rainwater inlet, which helps channel rainwater from the mall's roof to external drainage, could not cope with the "unusually heavy amount of rainfall" and overflowed, said the mall's marketing communications manager Sarah Lua in a statement.

The flood was cleaned up by 4.25pm, and Tampines Mall is putting steps in place to prevent a recurrence," she added.

The wet weather looks set to continue this week, with the National Environment Agency forecasting thundery showers over many areas in the afternoon on Monday.

Tuesday's forecast is for passing showers in the afternoon. While Wednesday is set to be "occasionally windy", Thursday will see a return to thundery showers in the afternoon.

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Malaysia: Illegal Camerons farmland to be replanted with trees

The Star 7 Dec 14;

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Land which has been illegally developed for farming in the Cameron Highlands will be cleared and then rehabilitated by planting trees.

National Security Council (NSC) secretary Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab said close monitoring would be conducted on land development in the Cameron Highlands to prevent further illegal land-clearing for farming.

"When this happens, problems arise as it (illegal land clearing) affects the environment and ecology, hence causing natural disaster like soil erosion," he told reporters during an operation, code-named Ops Gading, at the Blue Valley here Sunday.

A total of 300 personnel from 16 agencies, including the police, the Malaysian Armed forces, Immigration Department, Civil Defence Department, Rela and the Attorney-General's Chambers, were involved in the operation.

Mohamed Thajudeen said illegal land-clearing for farming did not only occur in the Blue Valley, but also in several other areas in Cameron Highlands.

Some 18 hectares of land in the Blue Valley had been illegally developed for farming, he said, adding that structures on 10 hectares of the land had been demolished.

"After the area has been cleared, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will carry out works to improve the soil there by planting trees," he added.

The incident of mud floods and landslides in Kampung Raja, Ringlet town and Bertam Valley in the Cameron Highlands last Nov 5 resulted in the loss of five lives and more than 90 victims from 28 families to be evacuated to the Ringlet community hall. - Bernama

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Philippines: Mangroves and disaster resilience

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy Manila Standard Today 8 Dec 14;

As soon as it was known that Hagupit, the last but not the least typhoon that would hit the country this year, was barreling its way to the Visayas, “storm surge” warnings were up.

Two years ago , “storm surge” was not in the country’s disaster lexicon, but it was introduced there by Yolanda, complete with illustrations on how lethal it was.

Yolanda rewrote our typhoon playbook. It has increased this nation’s disaster IQ to the point that when a storm brews over the Pacific, the people on its forecast path already know the drill.

Most now pack up without prodding, batten down windows without prompting, and troop to the nearest evacuation center without being told to.

Officials have also memorized their what-is-to-be-done spiel. For sure, there’s the televised national and local command conferences where orders are barked with gale-force strength including rallying cries, the flavor of the month it seems is “zero casualty.”

But while it can be said that we have developed some sort of a muscle memory on disaster response, it seems that we have not when it comes to disaster prevention, or what the UN types would call disaster resiliency.

There is no debate that there are things to be done on how to mitigate the effects of our geographical misfortune of being the doormat to the typhoon alley.

There is actually a long checklist , but let me just focus on one, which is linked to storm surges.

It has been said that mangroves are the best coastal defense against storm surge. They’ve also been bruited as tsunami armors, which , by the way, is also a need in a quake-prone country whose archipelagic contour follows the outline of the earth’s Ring of Fire.

Sadly, we have stripped our coasts of these natural barriers. From half a million hectares at the turn of the last century, the area on which Philippine mangroves are planted has shrunk to about 120,000 hectares at the beginning of this century.

If we dial back our history lesson to the start of the Spanish conquest, we should remember that Metro Manila was one big mangrove. In fact, it got its name from the swamp plant called nilad.

During the 20th century, we converted almost a quarter of a million hectares of mangroves into fishponds, or at a rate of almost 200 basketball courts a day. To this day, the war of the backhoes against bakhaws continues.

This is not to say that there’s not one redeeming value in their conversion. Pond-raised fish, like tilapia and bangus, now account for more than half of the country’s annual fish output.

Not only do these ex-mangroves produce half of the fish we consume, but at a price half than the pricey species that commercial and municipal fishermen catch.

Because food security is a demand we cannot ignore, experts have proposed that for every hectare of mangrove converted into fishpond, we retain and nurture four. This 1: 4 ratio does exist, but sadly on the reverse.

However, it is not too late to expand our mangrove inventory. In fact, it becomes a national imperative —to boost climate change resiliency and to help attain food security. Rising seas and rising population demand that we must.

As source of cheap protein, a hectare of mangrove can yield up to 650 kilos of fish, mollusks, crabs, shellfish a year. At a bargain P100 per kilo, that’s P65,000 a year on 10,000 square meters of tidal greenbelt.

Its effect on fish density radiates to nearby waters. Corals near mangroves are known to exhibit up to 25 times more volume of fish.

Because mangroves are forests on water, then they yield wood, for fuel or even for furniture. Nipa is of course a roofing material. It is the same plant which oozes that nectar used in distilling nipa lambanog.

I’ve read one study on how a hectare of mangrove was able to yield 60,000 pieces of poles on Year 5 to 10 after planting. If you’ve been to a hardware recently, you would know how a lumber as hard as a cardboard costs nowadays.

They’re also a veritable medicine cabinet. They supply indigenous remedies to ailments. And provide sanctuary to birds. They’re not only spawning grounds for fish, they’re avian nurseries as well. Imagine mangroves to be a condominium, with stratified dwellers from the roots to the canopy.

There are mangrove benefits which are hard to pin a peso sign on. To cite one, the deep roots of mangroves are pollution sieves. They filter sediments and prevent erosion.

These are not only anchors which protect coasts hammered by typhoons, they serve as magnets for tourists, too.

Rustic accommodations in the middle of a mangrove forest, with the foliage serving as natural wallpapers, are the ones that fetch premium rates. Mangrove eco-tours, which feature kayaking, among many thrill sell-points, have built a wide fan base.

Is there money for mangrove planting ? Yes, there is. For next year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources plans to spend P7 billion in planting 300 million seedlings and saplings on 300,000 hectares of land.

I know that the bias is for upland areas. But regreening should extend from ridges to (near the) reefs. And, for transparency requirements, mangrove replanting is easier to monitor and audit. How can you hide something which is visible and countable on the horizon?

And who has ever claimed that species planted on water has been burned in a fire caused by lightning?

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