Ministry to NSS: What is your proposal?
THE Ministry of National Development has asked the Nature Society (Singapore) to put up a proposal for its plans to run nature areas.
A ministry spokesman said that it welcomed NSS’ interest in wanting to assist in conserving Singapore’s nature areas, and added that the ministry would like the society to put up a concrete proposal for consideration.
Two weeks ago, the NSS’ president, Associate Professor Wee Yeow Chin, said: "We want to put our expertise where our mouth is and manage some of the areas we have sought to conserve."
He said then that the society hoped to persuade the Government to allow it to operate a bird sanctuary at Senoko or run a visitor centre on Pulau Ubin.
In response, an MND spokesman said: "It is not a simple matter to operate a bird sanctuary a visitor centre."
She explained that such facilities would have to be opened as early as 7 am and must be staffed adequately during opening hours, including weekends.
She added that the NSS would have to show in its proposal that it had the resources and was capable of running such facilities.
She pointed out that there were other avenues through which NSS members could offer their expertise to help conserve Singapore’s flora and fauna.
For instance, NSS members are already participating in the National Parks Board’s volunteer nature warden scheme.
The Parks and Recreation Department is also setting up a volunteer guide service in the soon-to-be-opened Sungei Buloh Park bird sanctuary.
The NSS has, in the meantime, started on its plans for Pulau Ubin. Assoc Prof Wee said that the society is undertaking a massive survey of the island to collect data on its wildlife and vegetation.
It will also be implementing an environmental education programme on the island to support Its waste recycling efforts there and is converting an old school into a field centre where educational facilities for the public and students will be set up.
Source : The Straits Times, 15th Oct 1993
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