Best of our wild blogs: 28 Aug 14

Wild Wild West
from Singapore Bird Group

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Malaysia: Look at other power sources other than nuclear

TASNIM LOKMAN New Straits Times 28 Aug 14;

ASTANA, Kazakhstan: Malaysia needs to explore more natural power sources for the future.

Malaysia Physicians for Social Responsibility (MPSR) president Dr David Quek told the New Straits Times the government needs to find other power alternatives for the future instead of opting to go nuclear.

"It is understood that the government is looking into nuclear power options. However, they should seriously reconsider this as there are other sources such as waves, wind and solar energy that is safer for the country and people.

"It may not be absolutely impossible but the technological system the world has now is still in its infancy stage and yet to be fully refined and clean.

"It's just not the right time and there may never be," he said.

Dr Quek was attending the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear (IPPNW) 21st World Congress here, with two other Malaysian delegates from MPSR Dr Thong Kok Wai and Ronald McCoy, who is also former co-president of IPPNW.

This year's congress themed "From Nuclear Test Ban to a Nuclear Weapon Free World: Disarment, Peace and Global Health in the 21st Century" was launched today by president of IPPNW 21st World Congress Dr Abai Baigenzhin, founding IPPNW co-president Dr Evgueni Chazov and Kazakhstan Health Minister Dr Salidat Kairbekova.

More than 500 participants from 44 countries such as the Netherlands, Japan and India who are involved in the health industry attended the six-day event.

Austrian Foreign Affairs minister Ronald Sturm who spoke during the opening ceremony applauded the big step Kazakhstan has taken by disarming themselves from nuclear testing.

"Kazakhstan is a role model and should be applauded for its disarment to a non-nuclear weapon state and now we wait for others to follow suit. We should applaud and appeal for them to continue the hard work," he said.

‘Hydropower will boost people’s future’
Goh Pei Pei New Straits Times 28 Aug 14;

KUCHING: HYDROPOWER holds the key to the future of Sarawak as it will turn the state into a high-income society, said Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.

However, he said, the biggest challenge in hydropower development was to create a greater understanding among villagers from the areas earmarked for the construction of dams.

He said such development projects were vital to ensure that the villagers’ children were not deprived of opportunities.

Taib said many could not understand the connection between hydropower and development.

“They don’t really understand how the dams can benefit them so they refuse to move. This causes conflicts and delays in the resettlement process,” said Taib at the Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak 31st anniversary celebration here yesterday.

“Because of that, their children have to walk miles and miles to school as most of them are living in remote areas. So, some of them would easily give up on education and return to the villages to become farmers.”

“We don’t want any of our people to be neglected as we want everyone to benefit and take part in development. Everyone deserves a better life and higher income.”

Taib, who is Azam’s founder, urged the organisation’s committee members to be more aggressive in disseminating information about hydropower development by using relevant and acceptable methods.

“We cannot use the same method of disseminating information in urban areas and use it in the interior. City folk are well-connected to the Internet, but people in villages are not,” Taib said.

Azam is a non-governmental organisation which aims to facilitate development efforts in Sarawak by engaging the people.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who was at the same function, said that once rural villagers were well-informed about hydropower development and its benefits, they would not be influenced by the views of certain quarters who have been criticising such projects for a personal agenda.

“I want our people to understand government policy and development plans as these things are meant for the people.

“We don’t need the foreign NGOs with their personal agendas to tell us what to do,” he said, referring to certain foreign NGOs that have criticised Sarawak for its development projects, claiming they could affect the state’s environment.

“We encourage rural villagers to be part of our development progress, and to be able to have a firm stand regardless of what the foreign NGOs say,” he said.

Research still ongoing to decide on nuclear power plant
TEOH PEI YING New Straits Times 28 Aug 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has not finalised decision to build a nuclear power plant to generate electricity.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Mah Siew Keong said research on the matter is still being carried out.

"This is a long process, it doesn't means that we starting gather information, getting feedback from the involving parties, we are going to build a nuclear power plant next year.

"To complete all these steps maybe will take up to 10 years or 12 years, but works have to start now, including obtain the information and feedback," he told reporters after launching the Steinbeis Malaysia Foundation at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here today.

Mah, who is in charge of overseeing the nuclear energy industry, said the government will ensure the matter is dealt with in a transparent manner and the people will be kept abreast with the latest developments.

"A lot of people are worried after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. “That is the reason we want to update the public on the information we have compiled.

“The most important, we will get all the information and do what is correct for the country and the rakyat," he said.

Asked about would government insisted the proposal if the majority were against the project ,he said the government will follow the wishes of the public.

However he added there is need to find alternatives to replace nuclear.

"I am not saying that the government will definitely build nuclear power plant. If majority are against the proposal, then we have to think of other alternatives. We have to explore all possible ways,” he said.

Mah said currently the country is dependent on coal which is made up of at least 40 per cent of fossil fuel to generate power and this will go up to 75 per cent by 2023.

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NOAA's Marine Debris Program reports on national issue of derelict fishing traps

NOAA Headquarters Science Daily 27 Aug 14;

Thousands of fishing traps are lost or abandoned each year in US waters. A new NOAA report is the first of its kind to examine the derelict fish trap problem, nationally, and recommends actions to better manage and prevent it.

Thousands of fishing traps are lost or abandoned each year in U.S. waters and become what are known as derelict traps, which continue to catch fish, crabs, and other species such as turtles. These traps result in losses to habitat, fisheries, and the watermen who depend on the resources -- losses that are largely preventable, according to a newly published NOAA study.

The report, published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin, is the first of its kind to examine the derelict fish trap problem, and so-called "ghost fishing," nationally, and recommends actions to better manage and prevent it.

"Before this report, the marine debris community lacked comparable data on derelict traps," said Courtney Arthur, research specialist for NOAA's Marine Debris Program and lead author of the study. "We had different pieces of information, but not a whole picture. This paper connects those pieces and identifies areas where we need to focus our efforts."

The report looks at the results of seven NOAA-funded studies in different fisheries across the U.S., and compares the severity of the problem, and common management challenges across the regions. It also reports certain findings from the studies for the first time in peer-reviewed literature, such as estimates of derelict trap numbers and how long they remain in the environment.

"People may not realize that derelict traps can catch not just the target species of the fishery, but also other animals including threatened and endangered species where populations are already very low. Derelict traps can also harm sensitive habitats like coral reefs and salt marsh so they have a bigger impact than might be anticipated," said Ariana Sutton-Grier, Ph.D., NOAA's National Ocean Service ecosystem science adviser and co-author of the study.

Researchers concluded that derelict traps have a cumulative, measurable impact which should be considered in fishery management decisions. They identified several key gaps in research and suggested a management strategy that emphasizes a collaborative approach, including:

=studying how derelict traps and ghost fishing affect fishery stocks and the fishing economy
=involving the fishing industry in collaborative projects to find solutions to ghost fishing examining the regional challenges to derelict traps to find effective policy solutions to manage, reduce, and prevent gear loss

"By providing this comprehensive study, we allow resource managers to make more informed decisions that make sense for them and for the fishing industry," said Holly Bamford, Ph.D., assistant NOAA administrator for the National Ocean Service and a co-author of the report. "Marine debris is a continued threat to resilient ecosystems and navigation safety, and by working together we can find better solutions to keep coastal communities, economies and ecosystems healthy."

Fisheries in the study include the Dungeness crab fisheries in Alaska and Puget Sound; the blue crab fisheries in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina; the spiny lobster fishery in Florida; and the coral reef fish fishery in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

All seven fisheries contained derelict traps, with average numbers ranging from five to 47 traps per square kilometer. Further, between five and 40 percent of all the derelict traps examined showed evidence of ghost fishing. The length of time a trap continued to ghost fish depended on the environmental conditions and trap design, but in every fishery, ghost fishing occurred longer than anticipated based on assumptions about gear degradation.

Since 2005, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has worked with partners, including fishing communities and researchers, to better understand derelict fishing traps and their impacts in important fisheries across the nation. Many of these investigations were conducted by NOAA staff from the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, and NCCOS's Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, and represent an effort to enhance NOAA's marine debris knowledge and capabilities.

Story Source:

The above story is based on materials provided by NOAA Headquarters. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Journal Reference:
Courtney Arthur, Ariana E. Sutton-Grier, Peter Murphy, Holly Bamford. Out of sight but not out of mind: Harmful effects of derelict traps in selected U.S. coastal waters. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2014; DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.06.050

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US: Plastic bag ban stalls in California amid manufacturers' opposition

Aaron Mendelson PlanetArk 27 Aug 14;

Prospects are dimming for a ban on plastic grocery bags in California, as the legislative session winds down and supporters remain three votes short of a majority in the face of strong opposition from manufacturers.

A number of cities in California and other states, including Hawaii's Maui County, have made it illegal for grocery stores to pack consumer purchases in plastic. But at the state level, support has generally crumbled because of opposition from plastic bag makers. California's ban, if it passes, would be the first such statewide measure.

"Clearly we have our work cut out for us," said the bill's author, Democratic state Senator Alex Padilla. He backed a similar bill last year, which also failed by three votes.

The measure would ban grocery stores from handing out single-use grocery bags with customers' purchases, and would provide money to local plastic bag companies to retool to make heavier, multiple-use bags that customers could purchase.

It failed in the State Assembly on Monday by three votes, but lawmakers could bring it back if Padilla can muster the votes before this year's session ends on Sunday night.

Environmentalists have pushed for banning plastic bags, which are cheaper for supermarkets to use than paper bags, but create mountains of trash that is difficult to recycle. In California, there is particular concern that the bags, when swept out to sea, could cause injury to ocean life.

After the defeat of his earlier bill, Padilla won the support of some California based bag makers by including the funding for retooling. But in recent months, out-of-state manufacturers have campaigned against the bill, even producing television ads targeting Padilla, who is running for secretary of state.

Cathy Browne, general manager at Crown Poly, a plastic bag manufacturer in Huntington Park, California, said the bill would lead to layoffs at companies like hers.

A labor union representing workers at plastic bag manufacturing plants also came out against the bill in recent days.

More than 10 billion plastic bags are used in California each year, estimates Californians Against Waste, an advocacy group supporting the bill.

(Reporting by Aaron Mendelson in San Francisco; Editing by Sharon Bernstein and Peter Cooney)

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Global warming is already here and could be irreversible, UN panel says

A 127-page draft report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change describes what can be done about it
Associated Press theguardian.com 26 Aug 14;

Global warming is here, human-caused and probably already dangerous – and it’s increasingly likely that the heating trend could be irreversible, a draft of a new international science report says.

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on Monday sent governments a final draft of its synthesis report, which combines three earlier, gigantic documents by the Nobel Prize-winning group. There is little in the report that wasn’t in the other more-detailed versions, but the language is more stark and the report attempts to connect the different scientific disciplines studying problems caused by the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas.

The 127-page draft, obtained by The Associated Press, paints a harsh warning of what’s causing global warming and what it will do to humans and the environment. It also describes what can be done about it.

“Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems,” the report says. The final report will be issued after governments and scientists go over the draft line by line in an October conference in Copenhagen.

Depending on circumstances and values, “currently observed impacts might already be considered dangerous,” the report says. It mentions extreme weather and rising sea levels, such as heat waves, flooding and droughts. It even raises, as an earlier report did, the idea that climate change will worsen violent conflicts and refugee problems and could hinder efforts to grow more food. And ocean acidification, which comes from the added carbon absorbed by oceans, will harm marine life, it says.

Without changes in greenhouse gas emissions, “climate change risks are likely to be high or very high by the end of the 21st century,” the report says.

In 2009, countries across the globe set a goal of limiting global warming to about another 2 degrees Fahrenheit (-16.67C) above current levels. But the report says that it is looking more likely that the world will shoot past that point. Limiting warming to that much is possible but would require dramatic and immediate cuts in carbon dioxide pollution.

The report says if the world continues to spew greenhouse gases at its accelerating rate, it’s likely that by mid-century temperatures will increase by about another 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) compared to temperatures from 1986 to 2005. And by the end of the century, that scenario will bring temperatures that are about 6.7 degrees Fahrenheit warmer (3.7 degrees Celsius).

UN panel: Global warming human-caused, dangerous
SETH BORENSTEIN Associated Press Yahoo News 26 Aug 14;

WASHINGTON (AP) — Global warming is here, human-caused and probably already dangerous — and it's increasingly likely that the heating trend could be irreversible, a draft of a new international science report says.

The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on Monday sent governments a final draft of its synthesis report, which combines three earlier, gigantic documents by the Nobel Prize-winning group. There is little in the report that wasn't in the other more-detailed versions, but the language is more stark and the report attempts to connect the different scientific disciplines studying problems caused by the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas.

The 127-page draft, obtained by The Associated Press, paints a harsh warning of what's causing global warming and what it will do to humans and the environment. It also describes what can be done about it.

"Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems," the report says. The final report will be issued after governments and scientists go over the draft line by line in an October conference in Copenhagen.

Depending on circumstances and values, "currently observed impacts might already be considered dangerous," the report says. It mentions extreme weather and rising sea levels, such as heat waves, flooding and droughts. It even raises, as an earlier report did, the idea that climate change will worsen violent conflicts and refugee problems and could hinder efforts to grow more food. And ocean acidification, which comes from the added carbon absorbed by oceans, will harm marine life, it says.

Without changes in greenhouse gas emissions, "climate change risks are likely to be high or very high by the end of the 21st century," the report says.

In 2009, countries across the globe set a goal of limiting global warming to about another 2 degrees Fahrenheit above current levels. But the report says that it is looking more likely that the world will shoot past that point. Limiting warming to that much is possible but would require dramatic and immediate cuts in carbon dioxide pollution.

The report says if the world continues to spew greenhouse gases at its accelerating rate, it's likely that by mid-century temperatures will increase by about another 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) compared to temperatures from 1986 to 2005. And by the end of the century, that scenario will bring temperatures that are about 6.7 degrees warmer (3.7 degrees Celsius).

"The report tells us once again what we know with a greater degree of certainty: that climate change is real, it is caused by us, and it is already causing substantial damage to us and our environment," Pennsylvania State University climate scientist Michael Mann wrote in an email. "If there is one take home point of this report it is this: We have to act now."

John Christy of the University of Alabama, Huntsville, is in the tiny minority of scientists who are skeptical of mainstream science's claim that global warming is a major problem. He says people will do OK: "Humans are clever. We shall adapt to whatever happens."

While projections show that the world will warm and climate will change, there's still a level of uncertainty about how much, and that makes the problem all about how much risk we accept, said MIT climate scientist Kerry Emanuel.

If it's soon and only a little risk, he said, that's not too bad, but when you look at the risk curve the other end of it is "very frightening."

The report used the word risk 351 times in just 127 pages.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: http://www.ipcc.ch/

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Best of our wild blogs: 27 Aug 14

Dunman High begins a fourth year of sharing about our shores
from wild shores of singapore

Vinous-breasted Starling at Pasir Ris Park
from Bird Ecology Study Group

Flowers and Trees the Best of Both Worlds
from News from Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

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Journey towards a greener port

Melissa De Silva The Straits Times AsiaOne 27 AUg 14;

SINGAPORE - With 17 years in the maritime industry under his belt, Mr Eugene Khoo, 49, holds two port- folios at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).


The larger Project Director (Next Generation Port) portfolio includes overseeing Phase 1 of the Tuas terminal project, which should be ready in about 10 years.

He works with various ministries, government agencies and tertiary institutions to help bring together the operating, engineering and information technology systems into an integrated whole for the development of this port.

Part of this task involves coordinating schedules and ensuring budgets and plans are on track.

His other portfolio, that of Senior Assistant Director (Tuas Port Development), involves overseeing the project management of the Tuas terminal Phases 1 and 2 reclamation projects.

It requires working with appointed international consultants to carry out the engineering design works for wharf construction, reclamation and dredging, among other tasks.

"Together with our consultants, my job also involves managing appointed international contractors," says Mr Khoo, who joined PSA Corp immediately after he obtained his civil engineering degree from the National University of Singapore in 1989.

"Right now at Tuas, we are doing preparation work for reclamation. Because it will be a port, we must dredge out seabed material, to deepen channels for ships," he says.

Due to concerns about environmental sustainability and a commitment to being a green port, a containment bund is being built.

"This is so that when materials are thrown out during the later stages of dredging and reclamation next year, the materials disposed from dredging and contained within the bund and the water outside the bund will not be polluted," he says.

After leaving PSA Corp to pursue full-time MBA studies in 2000, he returned to work on the development of Pasir Panjang terminal Phases 3 and 4 as a private engineering consultant with Surbana International Consultants in 2005. He joined the MPA in 2010.

He says: "Even after so many years, I am still excited about working in this industry.

"In land-scarce Singapore, our future port lands will have to be reclaimed over deeper waters of more than 20m deep.

"Building a deep-water port will dredge out seabed material, which will be recycled into reclamation filling as a sustainable development initiative for a greener port in Singapore."

Brought to you by

MPA SINGAPORE


Sustainability a key driver in maritime industry
Melissa De Silva The Straits Times AsiaOne 27 Aug 14;

SINGAPORE - The Singapore maritime industry's aim to achieve sustainability has led to a number of key green initiatives in recent years.

The Maritime Singapore Green Initiative launched by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in April 2011 was among them, aimed at reducing the environmental stresses of shipping-related activities.

Three programmes come under the umbrella of the Maritime Singapore Green Initiative: the Green Ship Programme, Green Port Programme and Green Technology Programme.

The Green Technology Programme is geared to boost the adoption of eco-friendly technologies among local maritime companies through co-funding, with $25 million being reserved for it.

A $100 million Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund has also been created by the MPA to support research and development of green maritime technology.

The MPA also works in partnership with the industry and other stakeholders to reduce the environmental impact of shipping and port activities by enacting measures to protect the marine environment.

Said an MPA spokesman: "A little-known fact is that Singapore's waters, despite being home to one of the busiest ports in the world, are also home to more than 250 species of hard corals, a quarter of the world's species.

"Two-thirds of the true mangrove plant species in Asia are also found in local waters. As a result, managing the environmental impact of shipping is a priority, even as the port is developed to meet economic targets."

Efforts include conducting studies to understand environmental impact, regulatory measures to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and incentives for environmentally responsible practices.

Another trajectory of promoting greener shipping is a joint industry project between MPA and DNV Technology Centre to assess the market for environmentally friendly liquefied natural gas as marine fuel as an alternative to marine fuel oil and marine gas oil.

Added the spokesman: "The mega terminal at Tuas, which will consolidate all existing container operations when it opens in about 10 years, is also being designed with sustainability in mind."

Some of the potential new technologies and processes for Tuas, including green port technologies, are already being tested under the Port Technology Research and Development Programme, launched by the MPA and PSA in April 2011.

One such unique idea was proposed by the winning team for the Next Generation Port Challenge in 2012, from the National University of Singapore, Shanghai Maritime University and Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries.

Named the Singa (Sustainable Integrated Next Generation Advanced) port, it involves an innovative double-storey container port concept that promises higher performance and productivity through sustainable means.

To find out more about Maritime Singapore and the careers it offers, visit: www.mpa.gov.sg www.maritime careers.com.sg

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Would MSO help with monkey issues?

Linette Heng The New Paper AsiaOne 27 Aug 14;

New body to coordinate public feedback.

Remember that saga over the fishball stick near Bukit Gombak MRT station?

That saga was not actually a unique incident.

Housewife Vicky Chong, 49, regularly jogs at the Bukit Batok Nature Park and when she spots litter, she picks it up.

Occasionally she reports cases on the National Environment Agency's (NEA) website.

A few months ago, she noticed litter all over a bus stop in Upper Bukit Timah Road and the carpark at Bukit Batok Nature Park.

The culprits were monkeys who ransack the bins.

As it was a litter-related issue, Madam Chong sent an e-mail to the NEA and suggested replacing the bins with the monkey-proof ones that are used in the park.

Not so easily done, she found out.

The carpark is managed by NEA, the bus stop by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the park by the National Parks Board (NParks).

Madam Chong's feedback is not rare.

It is estimated that 10 to 15 per cent of feedback the Government receives involves multiple agencies, is directed to the wrong agency, or involves a solution where the agency responsible is not immediately obvious.

That is why Madam Chong supports the new municipal services office, she said in a letter published in the Straits Times Forum page last Friday.

The idea of the Municipal Services Office (MSO) was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally.

COORDINATE AGENCIES

It aims to improve the Government's overall coordination and delivery of municipal services, said the Ministry of National Development (MND).

MSO will be housed within MND.

Ms Grace Fu, who will oversee MSO, said it will be set up on Oct 1.

Ms Fu is a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.

The MSO will not replace the feedback management functions of government agencies and town councils and it will help them resolve municipal issues especially in cases where multiple agencies are involved.

For a start, the MSO will work with eight agencies: the People's Association, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, the Housing and Development Board, the LTA, the NEA, NParks, Public Utilities Board and the Singapore Police Force.

Ms Fu will be also studying the feedback mechanism loop to ensure its efficiency, reported the Straits Times online yesterday.

"Whatever we do right now we have to make sure it's most convenient for members of public and that it doesn't create another layer, it doesn't delay the process," Ms Fu told reporters before flagging off the One Community Walk at Yuhua Constituency yesterday.

Madam Chong hopes the feedback process will be streamlined.

She said: "I'm not frustrated now that I know that respective agencies will be looking into the matter. I'm just wondering when this issue will be solved."

Tin Pei Ling, MP for Marine Parade GRC

"It's usually issues with cleanliness. Depending on where a piece of litter falls, different agencies could be involved.

"If it falls near a drain, it could be the duty of the Public Utilities Board. If it falls near the a grass patch near the drain, it could be the National Environment Agency (NEA).

"Usually, I would just ask the town council for help and they would do it out of goodwill.

"It really annoys people when they see rubbish lying around for a few days, because they expect a clean and green place. A one-stop portal would be helpful as a lay person might not know which agency would be best."

Baey Yam Keng, MP for Tampines GRC

"There is a long strip of land the size of a few football fields between Tampines Street 45 and the Tampines Expressway.

"Last year, during the peak of the dengue period, residents complained that it was a potential mosquito breeding spot and messy with overgrowth.

"The area nearest to the HDB flats is managed by the town council, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) manages the area near the expressway.

"There are trees so NParks is involved as well, and as it is state land - the Singapore Land Authority.

"Currently, there may be some discrepancies and disagreements (between agencies). There is a merry-go-round, residents are confused and things are not solved, which is a pity."

Zaqy Mohamad, MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC

"There was a case of monkey spotting which involved many agencies at one time because these animals don't just stay at one spot.

"If they are spotted at a HDB estate, the town council is involved. Elsewhere, in the forest, either Mindef or Agri-food and Veterinary Authority, depending on which part of the forest.

"I see a number of such cases involving multiple agencies. There is no wrong door policy, but it could also be a revolving door especially when they get caught in the web of regulations.

"Over the years, with experience, you will realise which is the right agency to approach. When more than one agency is involved, getting them on the same table helps to resolve the issue. At the management level, there is a commitment to resolve the issue."

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Malaysia: Tiger Valley project to proceed as planned

simon khoo The Star 27 Aug 14;

TEMERLOH: After an initial delay, the RM45mil Tiger Valley project in Lanchang – to house rescued tigers – will proceed as planned.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said that under the first phase, the perimeter fencing was currently being erected around the 200-acre site.

However, it would take slightly longer for the project to be fully completed and opened to the public, he added.

“Initially, we faced some problems acquiring land but the state government has already sorted this out with the villagers and land owners last year.

“Now, we are waiting for the necessary allocation from the Treasury to be released under the 11th Malaysia Plan.

“Regular discussions will be held with the state government on how to develop the area into an eco-tourism hub by introducing additional activities to bring in more visitors,” he said after a working visit to the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah and the Biodiversity Institute near here.

Palanivel, who is also the Cameron Highlands MP, said that upon completion, the site would accommodate tigers of the panthera tigris jacksoni species, commonly known as Malayan tigers. These tigers, rescued from the wild after running into conflict with humans, would be placed in the new home and open for public viewing, he added.

“We are also looking into transferring some tigers from the rescue centre in Sungkai, similar to the relocation of rescued elephants to Kuala Gandah for rehabilitation,” he said.

He said he was told that 15 rescued tigers, including 10 females, were being looked after in Sungkai, adding that other animals such as seladang had also been rescued and placed under the care of Perhilitan.

Palanivel said he would discuss with the Prime Minister for additional allocation to carry out preservation and conservation efforts nationwide.

Malaysia, he added, had been blessed with natural resources, flora and fauna, including limestone caves and millions of acres of forested areas, and there must be efforts to maintain this for future generations and as tourist attractions.

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Best of our wild blogs: 26 Aug 14

Green Future Solutions is Hiring
from Green Future Solutions

Sun 31 Aug’14 Morning Guided Walks
from a.t.Bukit Brown. Heritage. Habitat. History.

Identification resources for the new birders
from Singapore Bird Group

First Love MacRitchie Walk of the season, and more to come!
from Toddycats!

I Shall Wait For You
from Colourful Clouds

Bats roosting in my porch: 9. Mating
from Bird Ecology Study Group

Butterflies Galore! : White Banded Awl
from Butterflies of Singapore

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Pulau Ubin coast faces erosion risk

Melody Zaccheus The Sunday Times AsiaOne 26 Aug 14;

Pulau Ubin's northern coastline is fast being eroded by tides and currents.

If left unchecked, the island could lose parts of its coastal forest and mangroves.

To turn the tide, the Ministry of National Development plans to carry out a study to establish the extent of erosion, the types of vegetation affected and the impact it will have on hydrology.

Speaking at a reforestation initiative on the island yesterday, Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee said the study will help it "properly design restoration measures and erosion control measures".

One solution could be to install breakwaters, he said.

The fast-eroding shoreline is one of several pressing needs facing the 10.2 sq km island, which is about the size of Changi Airport.

Another is to fix the dilapidated buildings on the island, some of which have fallen into disrepair due to neglect.

Capturing the stories of the island's remaining 38 elderly dwellers is another urgent matter, Mr Lee said.

That is why the ministry has been gathering ideas from different Ubin interest groups and stakeholders on how to preserve and enhance the island's rustic character and natural environment, while sensitively providing access to the public. This intention was first announced by Mr Lee in Parliament in March.

Since then, the Friends of Ubin Network has been set up - comprising nature groups, heritage groups, academics, anthropologists, sports enthusiasts and artists. It has met twice so far.

The group and other stakeholders have suggested ideas to address these issues, such as by carrying out a "cultural mapping" of the village there.

Suggested by the Singapore Heritage Society (SHS), it would involve documenting, extracting and understanding the historical, economic, social and religious layers that used to exist and those that are still practised on the island.

SHS president Chua Ai Lin said cultural mapping goes beyond a historical study of an area, looking also at patterns of everyday life, to see how the different facets come together.

"It's really about the conditions of the people and the social, cultural, economic systems, networks and ways of life, from a holistic viewpoint," she said.

"Putting such ground-up data together can mean more informed policymaking."

Some have also suggested building a field research centre for scientists and nature lovers to set up camp. This could serve as an outreach point for people interested in learning about Singapore's biodiversity and the island's history.

Others have called for greater access to nature and nature-based recreation.

Mr Lee said: "So for those who say leave Ubin alone, we need to certainly at least deal with these things to prevent the island from falling into disrepair."

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Singapore farmers can tap on S$63m fund to boost yields, productivity

Channel NewsAsia 25 Aug 14;

SINGAPORE: Local farmers can look forward to more financial assistance to transform their farms and nurseries into high-tech, productive plots, after the Government pledged S$63 million to aid their efforts. Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Minister of State for National Development and Defence, announced the new policy during a visit to Sky Greens farm.

The new Agriculture Productivity Fund (APF) is meant to spur farmers to boost their yields and raise productivity, said the Ministry of National Development (MND) in a news release on Monday (Aug 25).

Of the S$63 million, S$53 million will be used for farm capability development to support productivity improvements in the farming sector. The remaining S$10 million is earmarked for farms to carry out research and development (R&D) in innovative production technologies, it stated.

This is in addition to the existing S$3.9 million Landscape Productivity Grant administered by the National Parks Board (NParks), which serves to co-fund landscape nurseries' investments in machinery and technology.

In conjunction with these aid initiatives, MND said farms and landscape nurseries will have to meet the following new conditions:

Use at least 90 per cent of the land for farm production or landscape nursery purposes, while the remaining 10 per cent may be used for ancillary purposes.

Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority's (AVA) farms must meet minimum production levels to qualify for new leases or lease extensions. Landscape nurseries must meet minimum productivity targets and be registered under NParks’ Landscape Company Register and Nursery Accreditation Scheme.

These conditions will be applicable to new farm sites to be tendered out by the AVA, lease extensions for existing farmland, and landscape nurseries managed by NParks, said MND.

LONGER TIME TO RECOUP INVESTMENTS

MND added that AVA and NParks will offer farmers greater peace of mind in terms of the tenure they have to recoup on investments in the areas mentioned.

"For the farms, AVA will tender new farm sites with a 10-year tenure, and offer existing sites a lease extension of 10 years if they are not required for any future development. These leases can be extended for another 10 years provided the farms meet the minimum production levels and other prevailing criteria, and if there are no redevelopment plans," MND explained.

As for landscape nurseries, there will be a new "3+3+3" tenancy model introduced by NParks. Essentially, the initial tenure for the property will be for three years, and can be renewable up to two further terms of three years each. "The new tenancy model will not require nursery operators to pay land premiums upfront. A monthly rental scheme will be applied instead," NParks stated.

It added that operators will not have to worry about infrastructure costs as NParks will provide connections to utilities such as potable water, electricity and telecommunications cables, sewage pipes and roadways.

"Over the past few months, I have been visiting some of our farms to better understand their operations and concerns. These understandably focus on the cost of technology, land tenures, shortage of manpower, and business continuity," said Dr Maliki.

"With the various funding schemes, AVA and NParks will work closely with the farms and nurseries respectively to help them build up their capabilities, and use more automation and technology to reduce manpower demand and optimise the use of our limited land."

$63m fund, new criteria for farming
Cheryl Faith Wee The Straits Times AsiaOne 28 Aug 14;

Local farmers applying for new leases and extensions must now meet minimum production levels and land use conditions.

The Ministry of National Development announced yesterday that all land-based farms must use at least 90 per cent of their land for production and meet minimum output levels.

These conditions will also apply to non-food farms, such as those which produce ornamental fish and orchids.

Landscape nurseries will also have to meet new productivity targets and land use requirements.

And to help the farmers' productivity efforts, the Government has pledged a $63 million Agriculture Productivity Fund.

Minister of State for National Development Mohamad Maliki Osman said: "The bulk of the fund is to encourage quantum leaps in productivity, especially in increasing the capacity of our farmers."

Dr Maliki announced these changes during a visit to "vertical farm" Sky Greens in Lim Chu Kang yesterday.

While the new fund will be available from October, the other changes will take immediate effect.

Talking about the new conditions for farmers, Dr Maliki said: "We are quite confident that the minimum standards are not onerous.

The majority of the farms will be able to meet them. We must make sure that the land is fully utilised for the purposes that it was set out for."

In the past, there was no minimum production level for land-based farms and 30 per cent of farmland could be used for ancillary purposes.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority will now also offer new farm sites for tender and lease extensions for existing farms in 10-year tenure periods, provided the land meets the required conditions and is not needed for future development.

Previously, lease extensions could be granted in periods of less than 10 years.

These changes will help to create greater certainty among farmers and increase their willingness to invest in new systems such as automation and technology, Dr Maliki said.

Dr Ngiam Tong Tau, chairman of Sky Urban Solutions which runs Sky Greens, an urban farm, said: "The challenge for farmers here is that land is limited. Therefore, we have to produce as much as we can per square metre of land. That is why we need government support."
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- CNA/kk

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