Best of our wild blogs: 4 Apr 17

Rare Trees at MacRitchie Forest: Xerospermum noronhianum and Ormosia bancana
Flying Fish Friends

Marvellous March at the Sisters Islands Marine Park
Sisters' Island Marine Park

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Illegal import of corals from the Philippines seized in Singapore

Channel NewsAsia 3 Apr 17;

SINGAPORE: An illegal consignment of corals from the Philippines has been seized from an importer's premises, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in a joint news release on Monday (Apr 3).

AVA officers seized 75 hard corals and five soft corals on Mar 30 that were wrapped in plastic bags lined with paper and concealed in ceramic mugs. They had been declared as "plastic aquarium ornaments".

Singapore is a signatory of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), under which hard corals are a protected species. CITES permits are required for any import, export and re-export of protected species, including their parts and products.

While soft corals are not protected by CITES, the authorities said they were also seized as they had been falsely declared and were bundled together with the illegal shipment of hard corals.

AVA and ICA said they acted on a tip-off and worked with a logistics company to follow up on the consignment from the Philippines. It led them to the importer’s premises where the corals were eventually seized.

The corals are now under the care of Resorts World Sentosa, while the importer is assisting AVA with investigations.

"Under Singapore's Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, offenders can be fined up to S$50,000 per scheduled species (not exceeding a maximum aggregate of S$500,000) and/or up to two years imprisonment upon conviction," said AVA, adding that it will continue to work with partner local and international enforcement agencies to curb wildlife trafficking.

The authorities also reminded travellers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit.

- CNA/xk


ICA, AVA seize illegally imported coral reefs
Today Online 3 Apr 17;

SINGAPORE — A haul of 75 hard corals and five soft corals that were illegally imported into Singapore from the Philippines have been seized by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

The marine invertebrates were falsely declared by the importer as "plastic aquarium ornaments", the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a joint statement with AVA on Monday (April 3).

Following a tip-off, ICA and AVA officers worked with a logistics company to locate the illegal shipment at an importer's premises.

The corals are now under the care of the Resorts World Sentosa, while the case is being investigated, both agencies added.

Hard corals are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), of which Singapore is a signatory.

Both agencies noted that while soft corals are not protected by CITES, they were also confiscated as they were falsely declared as "plastic aquarium ornaments", and were bundled together with the illegal shipment of hard corals.

Offenders who trade in endangered species may be liable to a fine of S$50,000 for each protected species (not exceeding a maximum aggregate of S$500,000), and/or jailed up to two years.

Investigations against the importer are ongoing.


Illegally imported corals declared as 'plastic aquarium ornaments' seized
AsiaOne 3 Apr 17;

Some 80 corals that had been illegally imported into Singapore has been seized, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a joint statement on Monday (April 3).

They had been imported from the Philippines, and were falsely declared as "plastic aquarium ornaments".

The corals, which included 75 hard corals and five soft corals, were picked up at the importers premises, where they had been wrapped in plastic bags lined with paper, and conceals in ceramic mugs.

They are now under the care of Resorts World Sentosa while the case is investigated.

According to AVA, hard corals are a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Singapore is a signatory. Therefore, CITES permits are required for the import, export or re-export of CITES species, including their parts and products.

Under the Republic's Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, offenders can be fined up to $50,000 per scheduled species (not exceeding a maximum aggregate of $500,000). They may also be jailed for up to two years.

Meanwhile, although soft corals are not protected under CITES, they were seized together as they had been falsely declared.

Both agencies stressed that the Government adopts a zero-tolerance stance on the use of Singapore as a conduit to smuggle endangered species.

ICA said that it would continue to conduct checks on cargo, passengers and vehicles at the Republic's checkpoints, while AVA said that it would continue its efforts to partner local and international enforcement agencies to curb wildlife trafficking.

The authorities also reminded travellers against brining live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit.

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Mandatory energy targets, regular energy audits on the cards for some industries in Singapore

Monica Kotwani Channel NewsAsia 3 Apr 17;

SINGAPORE: A Bill that would make it mandatory for some companies to set energy targets, audit their energy consumption and adopt industrial equipment that meet minimum energy efficiency standards was passed in Parliament on Monday (Apr 3).

Non-compliance with the enhancements to the Energy Conservation Act (ECA) could mean energy-intensive companies might face heftier penalties, said Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli.

The Act, introduced in 2012, requires 180 energy-intensive companies to implement basic energy management practices. They include monitoring energy use and appointing energy managers to look into ways of improving energy efficiency for these companies.

In tabling the Bill, Minister Masagos Zulkifli said 60 per cent of Singapore’s carbon emissions in 2014 came from the industrial sector. The sector also makes up about two–thirds of the nation’s total energy consumption rate.

He said changes to the Energy Conservation Act are thus necessary to ensure Singapore meets its annual energy efficiency improvement rate of between one and two per cent annually, double or triple the current amount. Mr Masagos said such improvement rates are to ensure Singapore achieves its pledge set out in the Paris Climate Change Agreement to reduce emissions targets.

Enhancements to the Act will include improving the energy-efficiency of industries, improving their greenhouse gas emissions reporting and the new Vehicular Emissions Scheme to encourage motorists to buy greener vehicles.

NEED TO "CONSTANTLY RE-EXAMINE" ENERGY EFFICIENCY

While companies included under the Act have put in place basic management practices, Mr Masagos said data shows many companies do not have a structured framework to manage the use of energy and guide efforts to improve efficiency.

With the enhancement to the Act, companies will now need to adopt a structured system that will require them to “constantly re-examine” and improve energy efficiency efforts. Mr Masagos said senior management for these companies will be responsible for setting policies and targets relating to energy, its evaluation and action plans. Companies will be required to have the Energy Management System plan by 2021 or 2022, depending on the size of their facilities' energy consumption.

These companies will also be required to conduct regular energy audits, and be required to submit the first audit, known as the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Assessments by 2021.

Another key change that takes effect next year will require companies with new industrial facilities and expansion projects on a major scale to undergo design reviews that incorporate energy efficiency measures. “Many companies have given feedback that the lifespan of industrial equipment can be very long – 30 years or more,” Mr Masagos said. “Thus, it is challenging to introduce new technologies midway as it disrupts their operations. Instead, it is better to identify and incorporate energy efficiency opportunities at the start of the project.”

MORE EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR ENERGY-INTENSIVE COMPANIES

Mr Masagos said data obtained under the Act also showed that there is much room for improvement in the energy efficiency of common equipment such as motors. To that end, he said the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) would be extended to cover industrial equipment and systems, starting with motors in 2018.

MEPS currently imposes standards on household appliances. Mr Masagos said the scheme has been successful in raising the energy efficiency standards of household products.

BETTER GREENHOUSE GAS REPORTING STANDARDS AND ENHANCED VEHICLE EMISSIONS SCHEME

Mr Masagos said enhancements to the Act would include reporting greenhouse gas emissions as previously announced. This means large emitters will be required to submit a monitoring plan, and a report based on the approved plan. Companies will also have to standardise their greenhouse gas emissions computing data, in line with methodologies set out by the National Environment Agency.

The final enhancement to the Act includes revisions to the Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS), which will be replaced with the Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES). Previously, only carbon dioxide emissions were taken into consideration in measuring a vehicle’s emissions.

Under the VES, four other pollutants, including carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons emissions will be measured. Mr Masagos said the enhancements to the Bill could result in at least a seven per cent reduction in Singapore’s greenhouse gas emissions.

- CNA/mo

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Malaysia: MACC and environmental activists team up to beat graft

The Star 4 Apr 17;

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has joined forces with environmental activists and academics to form a network to tackle corruption in environmental management.

“All the parties involved have agreed to form a closer strategic network to share information and strengthen law enforcement against corruption and abuse of power related to environmental issues nationwide,” the MACC said in a statement.

The partnership aims to raise awareness on the impact of corruption on the environment.

Among the environmental NGOs are Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia, Sabahat Alam Malaysia and Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam and the academic institutions included Rimba Research, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Chemical Engineering Department, and Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia Science and Environment Centre.

The partnership would be known as the Environmental Protection and Anti-Corruption Caucus.

“This is to ensure more serious attention is given to violation of the environment and ensure immediate action is taken by the MACC against those involved in corruption and abuse of power involving the environment,” it said.

It said an integrated and sustainable approach is essential to eradicate illegal logging, pollution of rivers and ecosystems, illegal land clearing to prevent tragedies such as floods and soil erosion.


MACC sets up EPACC to tackle corruption, abuse of power involving environment
Bernama New Straits Times 4 Apr 17;

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has set up the Environmental Protection and Anti-Corruption Caucus (EPACC) in collaboration with non-government organisations and environment experts to eradicate corruption and abuse of power on environment issues. MACC in a statement said it was the result of a round table meeting today chaired by MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad to discuss and share information on corruption issues related to the environment.

Among the NGO and experts involved in the discussion were Natural Resources Protective Association Malaysia (PEKA); Forest Research Institute of Malaysia; Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), Friends Of The Earth Activist Association (KUASA); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Science and Environment Centre (KIAS) and the Malaysian Institute of Islamic Understanding (IKIM).

“All parties involved agreed to set up a closer strategic cooperation network in information sharing effort and empowering enforcement action in curbing corruption and abuse of power on issues involving environment in the country,” said the statement. --Bernama

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Malaysia, Johor: Policy to protect the environment

MOHD FARHAAN SHAH The Star 1 Apr 17;

JOHOR BARU: The state government will introduce a wellbeing policy by the third quarter of this year aimed at protecting and keeping the environment clean from pollution.

Johor Health, Environment, Education, and Information committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said a study on the new policy known as Dasar Kelestarian Alam had five key initiatives.

They are conservation of natural resources, green economy, upgrading the management system, empowering the rakyat and promoting a prudent lifestyle.

Ayub added the policy was expected to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin in August this year.

“Before the policy is launched, the state government will be holding a town hall to get feedback about the initiatives from stakeholders such as the rakyat, non-governmental organisations and environmental experts,” he said after the district-level Community in River gotong royong event held at Sungai Tebrau near Kampung Bakar Batu here on March 30.

Ayub added the policy would educate the rakyat that keeping the environment clean was the responsibility of all and not just the government.

Ayub cited the pollution of Sungai Skudai where rubbish amounting to 500 tonnes is collected yearly, as well as the dirty conditions of Sungai Tebrau.

“Besides effluents from industrial and plantation waste, we also found all sorts of rubbish along Sungai Skudai including a mattress and bed thrown by irresponsible individuals.

“Under the policy, the state government will charge factories or anyone found polluting the environment a certain amount of money as it costs a lot to clean up the environment,” he said.

Ayub commended volunteers from the Johor Youth Council for helping to clean up the river.

“There are six polluted rivers in the state and the government will introduced a council, headed by the State Economic Planning Unit (Upen), which will come up with appropriate measures to clean the rivers.

“If we want clean rivers, we will need everybody, including local councils, to be more proactive in their approach,” he said.

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Malaysia: SWAT team handles rogue crocs in Sarawak

Bernama New Straits Times 3 Apr 17;

KUCHING: On Feb 8, Selamat Draup went to the riverbank of Sungai Santubong to catch river prawns, just as he did every other day.

However, when he did not return home after the activity that day, his family became worried and subsequently reported him missing.

The location, in Kampung Santubong, is a popular area for prawn-catching among the locals.

One of them told Bernama that it had be a routine of the 54-year-old secondary school staff. He said that Selamat had been blessed with bountiful catch over the last few days and had shared his haul with the nearby residents.

On the next day (Feb 9) after he was reported missing, a search and rescue (SAR) team was mobilised along the river.

They found the lower half of his body some three kilometres where he had been catching prawns. It was believed that a crocodile had attacked him.

The situation triggered a response from the Sarawak Forest Corporation (SFC) Swift Wildlife Action Team (SWAT). The team is usually deployed to contain wildlife threats, this time involving a man-eating crocodile.

SFC Wildlife Officer Christopher Kri Ubang said the SAR operations typically involve the police, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Civil Defence Force. In this case, the SWAT team only went down to the ground as soon as it was confirmed that there had been a reptilian attack on a human being.

HANDLING ANIMAL/HUMAN CONFLICT

Not much is known about the SWAT SFC. Their movements are much of a mystery. The media only came to know of their activities through the press statements issued after the success of each operation.

This writer intended to find out more about their work by following them on a four-day crocodile hunt at Sungai Santubong, after the tragic death of Selamat Draup.

Kri said that the SWAT team started operating in 2013 and was mainly in charge of saving wildlife and reducing the conflicts between man and beast throughout Sarawak.

He is the Head of Operations for the team and has over 30 years of experience in animal conservation under his belt. He said that the team comprised 15 people with six based in Kuching and three in Sibu, Bintulu and Miri respectively.

He said among the tasks handled by the team were the culling or relocation of crocodiles, saving wildlife, solving human-wildlife conflicts in areas affected by such conflicts and helping the Sarawak Forest Department in enforcement duties, if the need arises.

“The members of the team did not undergo special training for the tasks. We consider whatever experience we have gained as training. This is because among us, there are those who are very experienced, not just in (the capturing of) crocodiles but wildlife in general,” he told Bernama.

He said that other operations typically handled by the team included reducing the conflict between macaques and local residents.

THE CROCODILE POPULATION IN SARAWAK

The conflict between crocodiles and humans in Sarawak often becomes the area of focus.

According to an SFC spokesperson, a study to identify the population of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in the state from 2012 through 2014 revealed that there are approximately 13,500 of the species inhabiting the 22 river basins throughout the state.

The study also found that the population density of river basins Similajau (5.74 persons per kilometre), Saribas (2.25 persons per kilometre) and Samarahan (2.17 persons per kilometre). These are the three areas with the highest population of crocodiles in Sarawak.

CROCODILE FREE ZONE

Hence, to reduce the crocodile-human conflict, SFC has identified Crocodile Free Zones.

When a crocodile is found in the area, it has to be removed as it is believed that it will pose danger to the local population as well as their property.

The areas designated as Crocodile Free Zones includes area with a high population of residents; recreational areas or resorts that organise water activities like bathing, boating and jet-skiing; riverbanks; schools, clinics and places of worship. Areas where there are public requests for the removal of crocodiles would also be taken into consideration.

There are 19 areas throughout Sarawak that have been declared Crocodile Free Zones in Kuching (7), Sri Aman (1), Sarikei (1), Sibu (1), Bintulu (1), Miri (6) and Limbang (2).

In Kuching, the zones are located in Kuching City (from Satok Bridge to Baraj); Pasir Panjang to Pasir Pandak; the Damai Beach Resort, Santubong; Telok Asam, Teluk Lakei, Telok Tajor and Telok Bako Kecil (Bako National Park); Kampung Bako; the recreational areas for bathing at the Gua Angin Nature Reserve and Pantai Siar and Pantai Pandan in Lundu.

In Sri Aman it is the Sri Aman Waterfront; Sarikei (Sungai Sarikei Waterfront); Sibu (Sungai Sibu Waterfront); Bintulu (Sungai Bintulu Waterfront) and Limbang (the Sungai Limbang Waterfront and Sungai Lawas Waterfront).

The areas declared as Crocodile Free Zones in Miri are from the Miri Marina to the Piasau Bridge; the Batu Niah town; Sepupok town; from the Sungai Bekenu Waterfront to Kampung Dagang; Esplanade Marudi and the Sungai Long Lama Waterfront.

CROCODILE ATTACKS

According the statistics issued by SFC, there have been 12 cases of crocodile attacks in 2013, eight in 2014, eight in 2015, seven in 2016 and as at March 16, 2017, five cases have been recorded.

CULLING CROCODILES IN SUNGAI SANTUBONG

Kri said that when his team was informed of the case of Selamat Draup, they were on a crocodile culling operation in Sungai Skrang, Sri Aman.

“After the crocodile culling operation in Sungai Skrang, on Feb 14, the SFC SWAT team did a survey of Sungai Santubong,” he said.

On Feb 16, a 2.9-metre long female crocodile ate the bait they put out, resulting in the capture of the riparian predator that was estimated to be about 200kg.

“However, the necropsy performed on the crocodile did not reveal any human remains in its stomach,” he said.

The operation was thus continued from March 6 to 11.

“The second time around, we managed to trace four crocodiles, two of which were over 3m-long and the other two less than 3m-long,” he said.

TO CAPTURE A CROCODILE

The operation required the use of an aluminium boat measuring 3.66m-long, 16 hooks with chicken and goat as bait, marker buoys and caving ropes.

The SWAT team members involved in the operation also brought with them boat knives and other emergency preparations in the event of animal attacks. They were accompanied with fully armed police officers.

Kri said that the methods of capture depended on the situation. Sometimes it was the use of bait at selected locations or a metal cage.

“The baits were attached on a specially-made hook measuring 6 by 2 inches. The hooks were placed at 16 selected locations along the river within a 2.5-kilometre radius from the location of the crocodile attack,” he explained.

The team went down to the river for surveillance every morning and evening. They had to limit their movements to minimise the disturbances to the environment so as not to scare the crocodiles away.

“To determine where to place the bait, we asked the villagers where the crocodiles lived and did a probability assessment based on that information. That accounts for 50 percent of it.

“The other half comes from our own assessments based on our surveillance and target areas,” he explained.

Kri said that when a crocodile ate the bait, it would inadvertently tug the marker buoy. This would alert the team that a crocodile had gone for the bait.

After four days of following the operation, this writer concluded that the process was certainly not easy.

Kri said in this particular operation, the crocodile they were trying to trap were rather resistant to the bait.

“Animals can survive for days after a meal, so they might not go looking for food after one,” he said.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Kri said the team had many times encountered alarming situations during such operations. This includes the times when their boat nearly capsized after being struck by the reptile.

“There were a few times when crocodiles tried to knock over our boat from below. When they eat our bait, they would drag our buoy markers along and this stresses them out. A stressed animal will fight back.

“When we pull (the hook) and the crocodile doesn’t surface, we need to be careful because we don’t know where it is. It is stronger and heavier than us and we must remember that the water is their home. We are going into their territory and we must be extra careful. Otherwise we would be putting ourselves abd the others in danger because an injured crocodile would do anything to free itself,” he explained.

Kri said the largest crocodile caught by SWAT was about 5.4m long (17 feet), in Batang Samarahan on Jan 15. It was believed that it had earlier attacked and killed a local fisherman.

EXPERIENCE COMES IN HANDY

Kri said that despite the lack of specialised training, the members of SWAT each had experience in dealing with the conflicts between crocodiles and man.

He said members needed to have multipurpose skills and be ready for a variety of tasks, including steering a boat, should the need arise.

“We work as a team. There are no ‘heroes’. Before going into an operation, everyone agrees on what needs to be done and goes on out to do it.

“For example, if they come across a crocodile, they already know their roles and there is no need for further discussions,” he said.

They generally avoid night time operations, except when necessary.

“Sometimes we have to camp by the river. That adds up to the challenge and it makes us more committed to it.

SWAT member Wan Mazlan Wan Median, 58, is one of the more recognised member of the team after his picture hauling a captured crocodile in Samariang became viral in December 2016.

Wan Mazlan said the job required a high degree of patience, focus and preparedness to deal with any conflict that might arise.

“I have been injured during operations and I have also nearly died after being attacked by a crocodile. I was rather new at the time and had yet to gain experience, but it is different now,” he said.

QUIT THROWING RUBBISH IN RIVERS

Often times we pay no heed to the reminder to not litter, especially in rivers. The fate that befell people like Selamat Draup, however, is a stern warning as to why we should observe the advice.

Kri said that crocodile necropsy often reveal that its stomach contents included a number of plastic bags.

“This is what we found in the past one year handling conflicts between crocodiles and human beings. For example, at the riverbanks in Sri Aman, every time someone comes by the river to throw away rubbish, the crocodiles would surface and swim towards the rubbish.

“The reptile is attracted to the garbage because it has been conditioned to think that there is food among it. However, imagine when in the future, someone goes to the river to do something other than to dispose of rubbish. What would happen then?” -- Bernama

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Indonesia: For farmers in Mamuju, python skins traded for pocket money

The Jakarta Post 3 Apr 17;

The death of Akbar Salubiro, a farmer in Central Mamuju regency, West Sulawesi, who was killed and eaten by a giant python last Thursday, might have shocked people, but more often it is humans who prey on the snakes, not the other way around.

The forest rangers from the Mamuju Natural Resources Conservation Unit recorded that at least 1,000 python skins are being sold annually in Mamuju.

“Almost all districts in Mamuju and Central Mamuju have a lot of pythons. Farmers usually sell them to traders,” said M. Hardi, the chief of the forest rangers, as quoted by tribunsulbar.com on Saturday.

Ismail Passokorang, 53, confirmed Hardi’s statement. Passokorang worked as a supervisor on the government's land clearing projects from the 1970s until the early 1990s.

“Land clearing workers often saw many snakes in Tobadak, Karossa and Topoyo,” he said.

He added that the land clearing in Mamuju occurred from the 1980s to the 1990s when it was still a regency in South Sulawesi.

Ismail also said in the 1980s, workers in Mamuju often sold snakeskins to traders in Bebanga village in Kalukku regency, around 50 kilometers from Mamuju. The snakeskin sheets were dried, weighted and packed before being sent to Makassar.

He added that he almost never heard of people being eaten by snakes. “If the snakes eat goats, sheep or pigs, that’s common, but a snake eating a man, that’s new,” he said. (mrc/wit)

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Best of our wild blogs: 1-3 Apr 17

15 April (Sat) - Free guided walk at the Pasir Ris Mangroves
Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crabs

Pulau Semakau (North) still no seagrasses but corals ok
wild shores of singapore

Terumbu Pempang Tengah is alive!
wild shores of singapore

Tricksters of the Animal World
BES Drongos

Favourite Nectaring Plants #9
Butterflies of Singapore

Flew In Visitors (31 Mar 2017)
Beetles@SG BLOG

30 April: Income Eco Run 2017
Green Drinks Singapore

Painted Jezebel (Delias hyparete metarete) @ East Coast Park
Monday Morgue

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Singapore’s Pulau Ubin a natural retreat from city life

GARY WALSH The Australian 1 Apr 17;

Pulau Ubin is an island 10 minutes from, and about 50 years behind, the Singapore most visitors know. While the city-state glories in its ultra-modern skyline, shopping malls and hi-tech image, Pulau Ubin remains a unique reminder of what Singapore used to be like.

The MRT railway to Tanah Merah station begins your journey. Then it’s a bus or taxi trip to Changi Point Ferry Terminal to wait for a bumboat driver to rustle up enough passengers to make it worthwhile starting his engine and chugging for 10 minutes across a crowded shipping channel to Pulau Ubin. Twelve people on board, at about $3 a pop, and we’re off, swapping a shoreline crammed with cookie-cutter housing blocks for one of sand, coral and mangroves framed by thick rainforest, steering a careful course between giant container vessels as aircraft landing at Changi Airport descend overhead.

From Palau Ubin’s long pier you walk straight into the island’s main village, the last true Malay kampung in Singapore, composed of a scattering of houses, a casual restaurant or two perched above the water, a couple of small general stores, an unprepossessing Chinese temple and a string of bicycle hire outlets. Cycling is the way to get around the island. There are hundreds of bikes for hire, priced from $8 to $15 for a day, and frankly it’s hard to tell the difference between the cheap and expensive ones. The newer bikes are higher priced, but they are all pretty clunky, so you need to check the brakes and tyres before renting a steed.

The key destination on the island is Chek Jawa Wetlands, about 4km from the village, and at first there is a paved road that runs past expansive lotus ponds and under a soaring canopy of trees. After a couple of kilometres the track becomes gravel and a fork takes you on to a circular track that leads to and from Chek Jawa. A cheerful chap hands out maps at a national parks outpost where bikes can be stored and then you walk, initially along a 100m pier that offers a view back at the dense tangle of mangroves and bush that lines the shore. If you need a break from the heat, there’s a quaint Tudor-style bungalow that doubles as a visitors’ centre and rest spot.

The real treat of Chek Jawa is the meandering 1.1km boardwalk that starts near the visitors’ centre and loops around the coastal forest, tracking the coral-strewn shoreline. It’s here that much of Pulau Ubin’s intriguing wildlife can be discovered. Some creatures are easy to see, such as the oriental-pied hornbill that nests above, while others are found only when you stand still and stare at the sand and rock beneath the walkway; there are countless tiny crabs scuttling about, sea stars, sand dollars and a bewildering variety of worms.

Along the boardwalk route is Jejawi Tower, a 20m-high observation post above the forest canopy that gives a panoramic view across the island and a sense of the immense rehabilitation work that has been done to turn Pulau Ubin from granite quarry to conservation exemplar over the past 40 years. Back on that bike, you will almost certainly come across cheeky long-tailed macaque monkeys, which loiter on the paths in search of food and trouble. And that snuffling and rustling in the bush is likely to be a wild boar, which are prolific on the island, especially close to Chek Jawa.

These encounters are entirely common, unlike the reported sighting of a tiger on Pulau Ubin in 1997, or the 1990 visit of some elephants that apparently swam across from neighbouring Johor in Malaysia for a daytrip. The path back to the jetty and the bumboat passes by old quarries that have become pretty lakes, and is shaded by immense bamboo trees that arch gloriously over the road, giving all that sweaty pedalling a sense of occasion.

It is possible to stay overnight on the island, but I’m content with a few hours at Chek Jawa and in the main village. For those with more time, there is a fish farm, Chinese and Muslim cemeteries and more wilderness to explore, and a chance to convince yourself that Singapore can do renewal and rehabilitation just as well as it can do reclamation.

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Why sustainability is key to keeping the haze away

SIMON TAY and CHEN CHEN LEE Today Online 3 Apr 17;

The skies over Singapore in the past 12 months have mostly been free of haze pollution. This is a relief from the prolonged bouts of haze and extensive fires in 2015, and the record-high 400PSI that hit Singapore in 2013.

Efforts by the Joko Widodo administration in Indonesia to tackle the fires at source are one reason for the improvement. Wetter weather conditions have also played a major part in the good results. But the weather is changing, and not all for the better.

This year, experts predict the conditions will be drier than normal and fear that the extreme dry weather phenomenon called El Nino will return as early as July. Concerns arise, therefore, that severe fires will break out across plantation and forestry concessions across Indonesia, causing a return of the haze. Efforts to prevent that are being made. On Dec 1, Mr Widodo signed into law a blanket ban on the cultivation of carbon-rich peatland across the country.

In anticipation of dry conditions this year, Indonesia’s Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG) is already doubling up efforts to support the prevention of fires at the local and provincial level. BRG’s priority areas lie in Riau, South Sumatra and Central Kalimantan, provinces which have experienced extensive drainage of peatlands, thereby increasing their susceptibility to fires. At the same time, the Singapore authorities continue to investigate a number of Indonesian-based companies for possible fires and haze in 2015.

Critically, the assistance from different levels of the Indonesian government will also be needed, particularly in cases where cooperation from companies is lacking.

More broadly, the need is to address the root of the problem by steering the value chain of agroforestry products towards greater sustainability.

It is not just dry weather that causes the haze. The haze is a terrible manifestation of various unsustainable practices that plague the plantation sectors across the region.

Small-scale growers are often reported to use fires for land clearance because they see little other choice. Many suffer low productivity and small margins, and also lack of access to the right machinery and financing.

Sustainability also goes beyond the environment — labour and social issues must be duly addressed. Recently, Singapore-listed company Wilmar International, which has committed to a ‘‘No Deforestation, No Peat and No Exploitation’’ policy, was accused by Amnesty International of child labour and other labour abuses in Indonesia.

At around the same time, commodity trader Olam International came under fire for the alleged clearing of rainforests in Gabon. The pressure is growing for large agribusinesses to play an active role in addressing the environmental and social concerns on the ground or risk compromising their standing and profits.

The global value chain links back to the financial sector and the financiers behind some agroforestry companies have not been spared the spotlight.

Greenpeace has accused HSBC bank of financing companies that are allegedly responsible for forest destruction. In response, the bank in February issued a new ‘‘No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation’’ policy to re-emphasise the strict conditions attached to financing of palm oil companies. Among others, HSBC customers will now have to commit to protect natural forest and peat by the end of June this year, and show evidence that these commitments have been independently verified by December 2018.

In fact, a broader and more important shift is under way. Different actors in the value chains who were previously part of the problem are now becoming part of the solution. A central pillar of this will be information and transparency. Banks and investors are increasingly integrating environmental, social and governance considerations in their due diligence, making corporate disclosure on sustainability issues more critical than ever to build trust and confidence.

Frameworks to facilitate such information disclosure are emerging. Last year, the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures outlined a set of recommendations for voluntary and consistent climate-related disclosures, thereby helping companies to better align with investors’ expectations.

Similarly, a growing number of companies in the agroforestry sector are placing more emphasis on “traceability” so they can prove how they source their products to prefer the growers who adopt more sustainable practices. Technology is a key enabler for better information.

Increasingly, high-tech drones have been used to map and monitor land use and support the intensification of yields, especially in remote areas.

Mobile applications to collect farmer data are another innovation, allowing small-scale growers to make more informed decisions about their use of fertiliser and pesticide so that they too can move to both greater sustainability and productivity.

To help promote transparency and the adoption of best practices, non-governmental organisations (NGOs)and non-profit research institutions can play a critical role.

Dialogue across sectors is essential during this time of change in the policy and the priorities of the sector. Governments, large growers and their key customers and financiers need to be brought to the table together.

Equally important, gaps in the value chain need to be identified so that small-scale growers can participate and collaborate in the move towards sustainability, rather than oppose it.

Achieving sustainable value chains is clearly not the sole responsibility of any stakeholder and neither should it be. Instead, a concerted, collaborative effort founded on access to quality information is needed to prevent the haze and other crises from returning to the region.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Simon Tay and Chen Chen Lee are respectively, Chairman and Director (Policy Programs) at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA). The SIIA is holding the 4th Singapore Dialogue on Sustainable World Resources on “Inclusive Collaboration: Working Together for Sustainable Value Chains” on Thursday.

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HDB farmers in a concrete jungle

Samantha Boh, The Straits Times AsiaOne 1 Apr 17;

MyTurf is a fortnightly series that aims to tell the untold stories of our neighbourhoods. In this latest instalment, The Straits Times catches up with high-rise farmers and takes a look at the vegetables, fruits and herbs they grow along their HDB corridors and in their homes.

Whoever says you need a big plot of land to be a farmer has never met Ms Kit Yong, 56.

Like 80 per cent of the population, she lives in an HDB flat.

But tell her that you have a craving for the sweet and sour passion fruit and she might tell you to pick one right off a vine outside her flat if the fruit is in season.

The real estate agent grows more than 20 types of vegetables, herbs and fruits - from chye sim and kale to rosemary and passion fruit - along the 20m stretch of corridor outside her Tampines home.

Ms Yong, who estimates she has 80 pots of plants, is a member of a growing community of individuals passionate about farming within an urban setting.

Community gardens, started by the National Parks Board through the Community in Bloom movement, now number close to 1,000.

Residents are turning plots of land beside HDB blocks into vegetable and fruit patches.

Many residents have, however, taken up a trickier form of farming that comes with the challenges of limited space and variable sunshine: high-rise farming.

They grow their crops along HDB corridors, like Ms Yong, with some extending their gardens into their homes where they set up racks of pots along their balconies and window grilles.

This breed of HDB farmers is also tech-savvy. Over the years, Facebook groups such as Urban Farmers (Singapore) and SG Container Gardening and Vertical Farming have sprouted up.

Avid gardeners turn to them for tips from experienced farmers whom they call "shifu", Mandarin for "master".

There are also virtual marketplaces for exchanging or buying and selling seeds.

Every day, requests for advice on growing specific types of plants and ways to get rid of pests flood the groups' walls.

Although it started only in 2012, Urban Farmers (Singapore) now has more than 8,100 members.

Ms Yong joined the group about two years ago.

She shares photos of her harvest there.

She describes gardening as a "journey" which requires a lot of patience.

"A long time ago, even my cactus would die," she said, a surprise considering the state of her corridor garden today.

The Penang native, who moved to Singapore in the 1980s, started out planting ferns and flowers.

But as her concerns about the use of pesticides grew, she decided to grow her own vegetables and fruits about 10 years ago.

She has since grown lettuce, kale, chye sim and even avocado, just to name a few.

"I find peace and happiness in watching my plants grow," she said.

Her daily ritual is to spend about 15 to 20 minutes watering her plants in the morning before dashing off to work, and then giving them the "pampering" they need at night.

This involves checking for pests, trimming off excess stems and so on.

"Instead of going to the supermarket at the last minute for groceries, you can just go out to the garden, take what you can find and cook that," she said.

Her neighbours love her garden too and would use the herbs she grows.

Being able to eat the vegetables that you have grown yourself is one of the perks that another HDB farmer, Ms Wendy Toh, 44, likes the most about farming.

Ms Toh, who does Internet marketing, started her own edible garden three years ago, largely because her daughter Jessie, now six, loves munching on raw vegetables.

She now has about a dozen different types of vegetables growing in her home.

She regularly grows red spinach, kale and lettuce by hydroponics, mostly against the window in her living room which gets the most sunlight at her Tanjong Pagar flat.

These days, she grows enough to feed five people at dinner two to three times a week, and expects to be self-sufficient in about three months.

Her hobby has evolved into a family affair.

Often, her daughter and 10-year-old son, Caleb, will help her water and harvest the vegetables, and turn them into salads or smoothies.

"They always ask if I have watered the plants, and they will get upset if I have already done it and ask why I didn't wait for them," said Ms Toh, with a laugh.

Becoming a successful farmer requires tenacity, said the farmers.

Music teacher Sylvia Chua, 52, killed at least six pots of rosemary and three pots of lavender before realising she had been watering them wrong.

"At first, I thought it was just the weather, then I learnt from other farmers that these plants cannot be watered too much and they can't retain water well," said Ms Chua, who now grows them well alongside other herbs such as coriander and basil along her Marine Parade flat's corridor.

Ms Toh said she almost gave up farming because of tomatoes: Despite the enormous amount of effort she put in, including fertilising the soil with coffee grounds and egg shells, the plant failed to bear fruit.

"Eventually, I realised I did not have enough sun and decided to give my plants away, all 10 of them, and focus on others instead," she said.

Ms Yong, too, recalled her failure at growing zucchini.

But ask these farmers how much they have spent on their gardens and they will say they do not keep track.

"If you do, you will start wondering if you are spending too much," said Ms Yong.

"I prefer to just enjoy the fruits of my labour."

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Malaysia: Eight Keningau landslide victims still not found

Bernama New Strait Times 2 Apr 17;

KINABATANGAN: Eight people missing in a landslide in Kampung Sungai Labau, Sook, Keningau at noon yesterday, have yet to been found.

The search and rescue (SAR) operation today was adjourned at 6pm.

Kinabatangan District police chief Supt A.Sahak Rahmat said the operation would continue tomorrow at 7.30am involving the police, Civil Defense Force and Fire and Rescue Team.

Eight people comprising four males and four females were missing in the landslide which occurred at 12.19 pm, crashing onto three of the eight homes of the workers of the Seng Fo oil palm plantation.

According to initial reports, the eight victims were identified as Asma,36, Ana,16, Titiwana,12, Alisan,8, (all female), Sabril,10, Alan,11, Johati,11, and Azril,6 (all male)

The three victims who survived the incident were Jalikah Malingkul,50 (female), Abdul,50 (male) and Joshnam Bin Abdul,18, (male).

Sahak said the SAR team had to travel three hours by boat via Sungai Kuamut from Kampung, Tongod to get to the scene of the incident.

The SAR team from Keningau was unable to reach the incident area as the road via Nabawan was impassable as the bridge connecting the road to the location had been damaged. -- Bernama


Seven missing after landslip
STEPHANIE LEE The Star 3 Apr 16;

KOTA KINABALU: Seven people, including five children, from a family are missing after a landslip swept away their wooden house into a river.

The five are two 13-year-old boys and three eight-year-olds whose gender are not yet known.

The rest are two 17-year-old girls.

During the incident on Saturday, they were with four others at a wor­ker’s quarters in an oil palm estate when the landslip struck and carried away their home into the river.

Two adults and two other children – a boy and a girl – were rescued by villagers who saw them clinging to debris in the river.

The landslip in Kampung Alitang, Tongod, some 200km from here, had struck along the Crocker Range in Central Sabah after heavy rains in the area since March 30.

Yesterday, rescuers from central Tongod and the interior Sook district, off Keningau, were still struggling through difficult terrain to reach the scene of the tragedy.

Sabah Public Defence Department director Kol Mulliadi Al-Hamdi Ladin said it had received a distress call from the estate owner at about 12.20pm on Saturday and a team was mobilised to the area.

“However, we are still not able to enter or reach the place as the bridge linking the estate has been damaged,” he said.

He further added that those involved were believed to be Filipino workers and their fa­milies.

“Updates will be given when we have them,” said Kol Mulliadi.

Rescuers from Keningau first res­ponded to the case as the incident had taken place close to the district border although it is in Tongod.

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