Best of our wild blogs: 10 Aug 17

Pulau Tekukor, the other side of our Marine Park
wild shores of singapore

Forest fires, hots spots and underlying issues
People's Movement to Stop Haze

Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link a double-edged sword for environment, wildlife
mongabay.com

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Guided walks on wildlife bridge spanning BKE to be stopped until further notice

Audrey Tan Straits Times 10 Aug 17;

SINGAPORE - Guided walks on a wildlife bridge that is otherwise off limits to members of the public will not be continued by the National Parks Board (NParks).

A notice on NParks' website showed that the guided walks have been postponed "until further notice", and that the website will be updated if the guided walks resume.

The decision not to continue the walks was made so as to limit human impact on the bridge, which spans the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE). Members of the public are not allowed on the bridge outside of these walks.

Mr Wong Tuan Wah, NParks' group director for conservation, told The Straits Times that the board has detected the use of the eco-link by animals such as the pangolin, slender squirrel, common palm civet and various species of birds and snakes.

"In order not to affect the animals' movement patterns and to allow more animals to adapt to and use the eco-link, subsequent walks have not been scheduled. We are continuing to monitor the animals' movements," he added.

The $16 million Eco-Link@BKE, which connects the Central Catchment and Bukit Timah nature reserves, was opened in 2013.

Human access to the ecological bridge was restricted - to allow vegetation to grow and to let wildlife get used to the bridge without human disturbance - until November 2015, when NParks announced that it would conduct eight guided walks.

The walks, which were capped at 20 per tour, aimed to help people learn about the different kinds of animals that use the link, as well as interesting facts about both nature reserves.

NParks conducted eight such walks on four dates between the end of 2015 and January 2016, and these were attended by about 160 participants.

The Eco-Link@BKE aims to help the shy, elusive denizens of Singapore's forests move between vegetated areas in the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment nature reserves.

The ability to move between one forest area and another is important for animals, especially in Singapore.

This is because the island's nature areas are fragmented by urban development, unlike in countries that have rolling acres of forests. Being able to move from forest to forest will help animals feed and breed without becoming isolated.

However, human encroachment could prevent the shy, elusive animals from using it, which is why people are not allowed to visit the bridge as they would any other park or nature reserve.

However, NParks' Mr Wong said the board has found members of the public trying to visit the eco-link on their own.

"We have issued advisories to remind them not to do so. We would like to urge visitors to play their part in the conservation of our native biodiversity by refraining from entering restricted areas, so as to allow rare native species to establish themselves. There are many designated trails in the nature reserves from which biodiversity can be observed, and we advise visitors to stay on them. This will also prevent visitors from getting lost," he said.

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Learning about Singapore on a walking trail at Pulau Ubin

LIM MIN ZHANG, THE STRAITS TIMES The New Paper 10 Aug 17;

For the past four years, teacher Tan Huili's family spent National Day watching the parade at home.

But this year, Ms Tan's young family of four, together with her parents-in-law, woke up as early as 6am to catch the bumboat to Pulau Ubin.

They were among more than 100 families who took part in a walk to celebrate Singapore's birthday.

"Visiting such places gives us a sense of rootedness and identity," said Ms Tan, 35, whose children are aged four and seven.

During the event, organised by the Siglap division of East Coast GRC with the National Parks Board, some 520 Siglap residents, many with children aged 12 or younger, learnt about the early years of Singapore's independence.

Taking part in activities at six stations along a 2.6km round-the-island trail, they found out about the challenges Singapore faced in the past.

For example, at Teck Seng's Place, one of the conserved landmarks on Pulau Ubin, they learnt about the 1961 Bukit Ho Swee fire, a key event that led to the Government's shift to the public housing programme.

They were also treated to traditional food such as gem biscuits, ice lollies and jagung urap, or steamed corn with coconut shavings.

Limousine driver Melvin Koh, 31, who was with his wife and their eight-year-old boy, said: "It was something new for my son, and an interesting and meaningful experience, especially on National Day."


More than 100 young families visit Pulau Ubin to learn about nation building
Lim Min Zhang Straits Times 10 Aug 17;

SINGAPORE - More than 100 young families celebrated National Day at Pulau Ubin on Wednesday morning (Aug 9) with lessons from the early years of Singapore's independence.

Some 520 Siglap residents, many with children aged 12 or younger, took part in activity stations along a round-the-island trail. They learnt about challenges Singapore faced in the past, such as racial riots and the need for water conservation.

For example, at Teck Seng's Place, one of the preserved landmarks on Pulau Ubin, participants were taught about the Bukit Ho Swee fire of 1961, which was a key event that led to the Government's shift to the public housing programme.

They were also treated to traditional food such as gem biscuits, ice lollies, and jagung urap, or steamed corn with coconut shavings, at the station.

Some of the participants had woken up as early as 5am to catch the 10-minute bumboat ride to the island.

The whole trail was 2.6km long and included six stations.

The event was organised by grassroots leaders and volunteers from the Siglap division of East Coast GRC, in collaboration with the National Parks Board.

Chairman of the organising committee and businessman David Tan, 50, one of the more than 200 volunteers involved in running the event, said: "Even though this was hard work, we felt it was worth it to have these activities to gel the older and younger generations together, regardless of age."

Limousine driver Melvin Koh, 31, took part in the trail with his eight-year-old son and 31-year-old wife.

Mr Koh said: "It was something new for my son, and an interesting and meaningful experience, especially on National Day."

Another parent, teacher Tan Huili, 35,went with six other family members- her husband, his brother, her parents-in-law and her two children, aged four and seven.

"It was my children's first time in Ubin. They were disappointed not to see any monkeys and wild boars, but they enjoyed walking on the mud and gravel trails, which was something they never did in mainland Singapore."

Adviser to East Coast GRC Grassroots Organisations Maliki Osman joined the families in the morning's activities, which ended with an observance ceremony to commemorate 50 years of national service (NS).

Fourteen father-son pairs who had both done NS were given recognition packages for their contributions. The Siglap residents also stood up to give a salute to thank past and present servicemen.

"The whole day's celebration is really about looking back and reflecting, and not just celebration, but also asking ourselves what it means to be a Singaporean," said Dr Maliki, who is also Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs.

"Hopefully, the younger generation will then say, 'I have a role to play in making Singapore succeed' in the many years to come."

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Malaysia: Selangor forest fires brought under control; over 100 hectares scorched

Bernama New Straits Times 10 Aug 17;

SHAH ALAM: Two fires which have burned more than 100 hectares of the Raja Musa Forest Reserve in Bestari Jaya and the Kuala Langat Utara Forest Reserve have been brought under control.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Mohd Sani Harul said the fire in the Raja Musa Forest Reserve was spotted at about 6.30pm last Sunday.

“The fire started on idle land and strong winds drove it to the forest reserve. The blaze on 110 hectares has been put out,” he said in a statement.

The operation to extinguish the fire involved 49 personnel from various security agencies, he said.

The fire at the Kuala Langat Utara Forest Reserve was spotted at 12.40pm on Aug 3 and involved 9.9 hectares.

It was brought under control on the same day, Mohd Sani added.

"However, on Aug 7, thick smoke was detected about 200 metres from the previous spot. The fire has been brought under control and work is ongoing to put it out,” he added.


Bomba battling two large fires in Selangor forest reserves
The Star 10 Aug 17;

SHAH ALAM: Two large fires in the Raja Musa Forest Reserve in Bestari Jaya and the Kuala Langat Utara Forest Reserve near here have been brought under control and efforts are ongoing to extinguish remaining flames.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Mohd Sani Harul said Wednesday that the fire in the forest reserve was spotted at about 6.30pm last Sunday and involved 120 hectares.

"The fire started on idle land and strong winds drove it to the forest reserve. The blaze on 110 hectares has been put out," he said in a statement.

The operation to extinguish the fire involved 49 personnel from various security agencies, he said.

He also said that the fire at the Kuala Langat Utara Forest Reserve was spotted at 12.40pm on Aug 3 and involved 9.9 hectares.

It was brought under control on the same day, he added.

"However, on Aug 7, thick smoke was detected about 200m from the previous spot and involved 28.17 hectares. The fire has been brought under control and work is ongoing to put it out," he said. – Bernama

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Malaysia urges Indonesia to keep a lid on haze during SEA Games

Today Online 9 Aug 17;

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s sports minister has urged Indonesia to ensure that haze from raging forest fires does not affect the South-east Asian Games (SEA Games) this month, a report said Wednesday (Aug 9).

Malaysia will host the major multi-sport event from August 19-30, with thousands of athletes from across the region descending on the capital Kuala Lumpur to take part.

However there have been fears that choking smog from the fires in neighbouring Indonesia could float over Malaysia during the games.

The haze is an annual problem caused by slash-and-burn fires started to clear land for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations. It often blows over Malaysia and Singapore, causing flight cancellations, school closures and soaring rates of respiratory illness.

Malaysian Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin played down fears that the games would be affected by haze, saying he did not believe there was currently a threat and Indonesia had improved efforts to tackle the problem.

But he said Jakarta still needed to take precautions.

“I hope Indonesia will be able to control this problem so it does not affect (the games),” he was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times newspaper.

“I believe they will be embarrassed if it does affect the SEA Games as they, too, are competing here.”

The blazes normally peak in September and October.

But there has already been an early spike on Indonesia’s western island of Sumatra — one of the main areas hit by blazes each year — with dozens of people treated for lung infections and some schools closed in Aceh province last month.

Indonesia’s national disaster agency says there are currently about 160 “hotspots” across the country. These are areas detected by satellite that are either on fire or intensely hot and likely soon to go up in flames.

This is significantly lower than the number in 2015, when huge fires triggered a weeks-long environmental catastrophe that sent haze billowing as far as southern Thailand, causing thousands to fall ill and sending diplomatic tensions soaring. AFP

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Best of our wild blogs: 9 Aug 17

Singapore’s plastic bag debate balloons at Jane Goodall lecture
eco-business.com

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NParks warns public after crocodile sightings in Pasir Ris Park

Channel NewsAsia 8 Aug 17;

SINGAPORE: The National Parks Board (NParks) has put up signs and advisory notices to warn the public about crocodiles at Pasir Ris Park after two sightings of the animals were reported in the past week.

In a statement on Tuesday (Aug 8) NParks said that it had been alerted to two recent sightings of crocodiles at the park.

A crocodile was seen at the mudflat of Sungei Tampines in Pasir Ris Park last Tuesday and another sighting was reported in the waters off the park's beach on Saturday.

"They were likely to be estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), which are known to swim freely in the Straits of Johor," NParks said.

"For the safety of park users, we are monitoring the sightings and will take steps to translocate the crocodiles, should they continue to venture into publicly-accessible areas at Pasir Ris Park."

Warning signs and advisory notices were put up on Monday after the sightings near the water edge.

NParks said that visitors should "heed these signs, in particular to keep to designated paths and away from water edges".

"Should park visitors encounter a crocodile, they should stay calm and back away slowly," NParks added. "They should not approach, provoke, or feed the animal."

Video and photos appearing to show crocodiles in the Pasir Ris Park have been circulating on social media.

In one of these videos, a crocodile appears to swim in the sea near the shoreline.

If members of the public need help, they should call the NParks helpline at 1800-471 7300. More information on Estuarine Crocodiles can be found on NParks’ website.

Crocodiles spotted in north-eastern Singapore
Audrey Tan Straits Times 8 Aug 17;

SINGAPORE - Crocodiles lazing in the waters are a common sight for visitors to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in north-western Singapore.

Recently, however, these reptiles have been spotted basking in the sun in other parts of the island too.

The animals have been seen by nature photographers and visitors to Singapore's north-eastern coast, such as at Pasir Ris Park.

The National Parks Board (NParks) said in response to queries from The Straits Times that it was alerted to two recent sightings of crocodiles at Pasir Ris Park.

The first sighting took place on Aug 1.

Retired engineer and photographer Ted Lee, 60, had spotted a roughly 2m-long crocodile sunbathing on the mudflat of Sungei Tampines in Pasir Ris Park at about 4pm.

"This is the first time I have seen a crocodile at Pasir Ris Park. I knew only that there were crocodiles at Sungei Buloh, but not here. When I saw it, it was sunbathing among the herons. But it moved away after three school students took photos of it and made lot of noise," Mr Lee told The Straits Times.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is separated from areas such as Pasir Ris by the Causeway, which blocks the flow of water. However, estuarine crocodiles are known to swim freely in the Johor Strait, said Mr Chia Seng Jiang, NParks' group director for parks.

There was another crocodile sighting on Aug 5 in the waters off the beach area of the park, he added. Last month, a video of a crocodile swimming in the waters off Sembawang was also circulated online.

Estuarine crocodiles usually feed and rest in mangroves and freshwater bodies. The animals face threats due to the destruction of their habitats and over-hunting for their hide, which is often used to make shoes and handbags.

Mr Chia assured visitors that the animals are usually found in the water or at mudflats located away from visitor routes. However, NParks is monitoring the sightings and will take steps to move the crocodiles elsewhere, should they continue to venture into publicly accessible areas at Pasir Ris Park, he said.

Warning signs and advisory notices have also been put up in the park near water edges.

Visitors who come across a crocodile should stay calm and back away slowly. They should not approach, provoke, or feed the animal. Visitors can also call the NParks helpline at 1800-471 7300 for assistance.

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LEDs to make light work of finding rubbish bins at NDP

Audrey Tan Straits Times 8 Aug 17;

The National Day fireworks will not be the only thing lighting up the areas around the Marina Bay floating platform this year.

Rubbish bins will also be lit up - with LED lights - tomorrow so that spectators will be able to spot them and dispose of their rubbish while watching the National Day Parade (NDP) fireworks.

The "bins" - essentially areas fenced up with screens to accommodate large amounts of trash - will be deployed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) at The Promontory @ Marina Bay, the Merlion Park and the area outside the Esplanade. These are areas where people who do not have tickets to the NDP are likely to gather.

This is the first time that LED lights are being used to highlight where the bins are at an NDP.

Since 2015, the NEA and Public Hygiene Council have been working together to conduct outreach activities to encourage people soaking in the festive vibes from outside the main parade venue to pick up after themselves.

They had found over the years that some people left their trash behind as they could not locate a bin in the crowd after nightfall.

To further drive home the Keep Singapore Clean message, the Public Hygiene Council has enlisted more than 450 volunteers from various organisations, such as the Singapore Scout Association and the Waterways Watch Society, to patrol these areas to remind people to pick up after themselves.

Within the floating platform area, there will be 11 screened disposal areas for parade-goers to get rid of their trash, said the NDP 2017 Executive Committee. It will also be deploying one such bin at the Helix Bridge and another one on the pavement leading to the Esplanade.

Public Hygiene Council chairman Edward D'Silva said anecdotal observations have indicated improvements at the recent NDP preview, with spectators making conscious efforts to clean up and bin their trash before they leave.

"We hope this could be the start of a behavioural change where everyone would do their part to make Singapore truly clean every day," he added.

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Celebrating Singapore's entrepreneurial spirit: Leading light of family's solar energy business

Audrey Tan Straits Times 8 Aug 17;

Having taken over the reins of the family's business in solar energy, Mr Frank Phuan, 40, considers himself a second-generation businessman. But there is no denying his entrepreneurial spirit nonetheless.

Over the years, he has expanded the family's business in solar energy into a group of companies - including the Sunseap Group, which made headlines in 2015 when it got a contract to supply tech giant Apple with 100 per cent renewable energy for its local operations.

In addition, Mr Phuan has been growing his family's vertical farming business, Packet Greens, since 2014, renting more space in an industrial building along Boon Lay Way to grow more crops.

What started out as a test bed for light technologies in growing crops indoors has since grown into a farm which sells over 50 varieties of pesticide-free crops to consumers and restaurants.

But Mr Phuan's "baby" is still the Sunseap Group, which now has three entities - Sunseap Leasing, Sunseap Energy and Sunseap International. The first of the three, Sunseap Leasing, was started in 2011 with just four employees.

Sunseap Group was incorporated in 2015, and set up as a company separate from his father's solar panel manufacturing firm, Compo Enterprises, which was set up in the 1970s. Compo Enterprises was later renamed Sunseap Enterprises.

Singapore is a country famed for its efficiency, honesty and transparency. When we go into these regional markets, our partners regard us as a company which comes with these same traits.

MR FRANK PHUAN, 40, who expanded his family's business in solar energy into a group of firms, including Sunseap Group.
But Sunseap Group, which today has a staff strength of 79, has a different business model from Sunseap Enterprises. It focuses on selling solar energy as a service. Sunseap Group takes care of the installation, maintenance and operation of solar panel systems, and sells the energy produced to clients.

It was a large risk due to the large amounts of capital investment needed, said Mr Phuan, who has a 20-month-old son, Christian.

Charting new territory for a family business was also not easy, said Mr Phuan, who graduated in 2000 with a degree in materials engineering from the Nanyang Technological University. He started a marketing firm and dabbled in the F&B sector before returning to the family business. Said Mr Phuan: "My father asked me why I felt things had to be changed, saying that the traditional family business had taken care of all my needs as I was growing up.

"Instead of manufacturing solar equipment, we now use the equipment to develop our service. Through this process, I became my father's customer... We managed to transform a business that is in the 'sunset industry' into one that is of a recurring model." Sunseap Group is now among the largest solar firms here with a revenue of more than $25 million last year, up from the over $1.2 million revenue Sunseap Leasing earned in 2011. The group has also expanded overseas in places like Malaysia, where it has renewable energy projects.

On the value of the Singapore brand in such expansions, Mr Phuan said: "Singapore is a country famed for its efficiency, honesty and transparency. When we go into these regional markets, our partners regard us as a company which comes with these same traits."

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Indonesia: Rains dampen forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, new fires emerge in Papua

Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja Straits Times 8 Aug 17;

JAKARTA - Rainfall has helped with firefighting efforts in the forests and plantations of Kalimantan and Sumatra, but new hotspots have emerged in Papua, in the eastern part of Indonesia.

The number of hotspots picked up by satellites on Monday (July 7) afternoon, was 158 across Indonesia, with Papua having the highest number, according to Indonesia's disaster management agency (BNPB).

"The dry season will last until October and will peak in September. The potential for drought and forest and plantation fires will increase," said BNPB's spokesman Dr Sutopo Purwo Nugroho in a press statement.

The most affected areas are Papua, with 93 hotspots, East Java with 17 and West Nusa Tenggara 11 hotspots. Most of the fires in Papua were in the Merauke regency.

Forest and plantation fires have plagued Sumatera and Kalimantan for decades, especially in the provinces of Riau, Jambi, South Sumatera, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan. Similar blazes have appeared in Papua since 2015, according to the BNPB statement.

"Fires have emerged in Mearuke and Mappi regencies in Papua since 2015 … mainly due to massive land clearings to make way for plantations there," Dr Sutopo said. "Based on satellite monitoring, the converting of forest land into plantation has taken place quite swiftly in Papua."


Most of the hot spots were located in hard-to-reach corners, and a lack of equipment and personnel to help with fire-fighting efforts have complicated the problem, Dr Sutopo explained.

He added that an estimated 354,191 hectares of forest and plantation in Papua have been burnt between Jan 1, 2015 and Oct 20, 2015, an area about five times the size of Singapore.

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Indonesia: APP, With Japanese Agencies, Plants Seeds to Conserve a Riau Forest

Jakarta Globe 8 Aug 17;

Jakarta. Sinar Mas Group's Asia Pulp and Paper collaborated with the Japan Agency for Environmental Business, or JAEB, and the International Tropical Timber Organization to conserve the Kerumutan forest in Pelalawan, Riau Islands, by planting Meranti trees there on Monday (07/08).

Around 30 Japanese volunteers, including academics, researchers and journalists, participated in the planting event. According to ITTO project manager Ma Hwan-ok, planting is the most effective way to restore a degraded ecosystem.

The recent effort comes on the heels of Indonesia's recent public commitment to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, which call for government-led programs to combat climate change through a variety of means.

Tan Ui Sian, chairman of APP Japan, said the cooperative program in Riau is the company's fourth such initiative since 2014, which saw earlier actions aimed at restoring forests throughout Sumatra and Kalimantan.

Approximately 10,000 Meranti seeds were planted on Monday on 20 hectares of land in Pelalawan.

"This event is also a message to people around the world that conserving the forest and preserving the environment is everyone’s responsibility," Tan said.

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Thailand: Air pollution alert in 14 provinces

Pratch Rujivanarom, The Nation/ANN Jakarta Post 8 Aug 17;

Air pollution in 14 provinces across Thailand is much higher than World Health Organisation (WHO) safe limits, Greenpeace revealed Monday in a shock report.

The environmental group made the announcement as it disclosed average readings of PM2.5 – particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micron – in the country during the first half of 2017. PM2.5 is so small that it can be inhaled into the blood system and cause cancer and heart disease.

The assessment of PM2.5 levels at 19 air quality measurement stations in 14 provinces across the country showed that every station recorded levels higher than the WHO recommendation of less than 10 milligrams per cubic meter of air.

“Greenpeace has monitored PM2.5 levels in Thailand since 2015 and found that the top five provinces that have the highest records of PM2.5 were the same every year, which is a clear sign that we have to do something to clean our air,” said Chariya Senpong, Greenpeace coordinator on climate change and energy.

Chiang Mai, Tak, Khon Kaen, Bangkok and Saraburi were among the worst cities with the most severe PM2.5 levels.
Khon Kaen had the highest level during the past six months with an average record of 44 micrograms per cubic meter of air, while Saraburi had 40 and Chiang Mai 39.

Chariya said it was understandable that those provinces suffered from severe air pollution as Chiang Mai and Tak in the North were in valley areas and faced haze problems from open burning every year. Khon Kaen, Bangkok and Saraburi are main urban areas with a high volumes of traffic and industry.

“This is a big threat to people’s health, as PM2.5 is so small that it can pass dust filter systems in our respiratory system and be absorbed into our blood system through our lungs,” she said.

“The particulates carry toxic substances such as heavy metals with them, so exposure to PM2.5 can cause cancer and other diseases such as allergies.”

A State of Global Air report showed that air pollution from PM2.5 was responsible for 37,500 premature deaths in Thailand in 2015.

“It is the people’s right to be in a clean environment and informed about the health threats from the air, so the authorities should add PM2.5 in their Air Quality Index and make sure that people can easily access face masks and information about air pollution,” Chariya said.

Meanwhile, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) Air Quality and Noise Management Bureau director Seksan Saengdao said Thailand already had eight air quality indicators, which included PM2.5, while the PCD was working to install new PM2.5 monitors to cover 31 provinces.

“We understand the problem of the lack of coverage of PM2.5 monitors and we are working on it. Moreover, in the country’s 20-year strategic plan, the government also focuses in tackling air pollution from other sources as well,” Seksan said.

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