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2002-21: Nominate a tree! The Heritage Trees Scheme
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Habitatnews 2002-21: Monday, 23rd September 2002
The Habitat Group's Nature Information List
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Nature-related news that the busy Singaporean might otherwise miss
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Contents: Nominate A Heritage Tree
I just received by email a speech by Minister of State Vivian Balakrishnan,
at The Official Launch of Heritage Trees Scheme, 23 September 2002, 9.30 am
In the Heritage Trees Scheme that he announced this morning, all of us
Are encouraged to nominate mature trees that we feel are worthy of
conservation. The Heritage Trees Panel will “evaluate these nominations
based on criteria such as the trees’ height and girth, and considerations
such as social, cultural, historical and educational significance.”
He went on to urge us “to look out for mature, significant trees around you
and send your nominations to the panel.”
See the Latest News section of the National Parks Board webpage at:
<http://www.nparks.gov.sg/>
I was on Op Raleigh’s Project C.A.R.E’s Round Island Bicycle Ride yesterday.
As we cycled some 125km around Singapore, the significance of trees were
never more apparent. As we cycled past nature reserves or through groves
of older trees, it was much cooler, the air was less dusty, more fresh and
almost sweet that it was invigorating! We must certainly be thankful for
we have. But there is more...
The mechanisms for the public to highlight trees of merit have existed
in the past – you just have to write in! How else can government agencies
know or justify such an action when there are conflicting needs. But these
avenues have been utilised by few. A good example of such a submission
for Changi trees will be announced shortly in Habitatnews.
In this new scheme, the government has provided a more obvious channel
by which to provide information, and a body to evaluate these submissions,
and simple guidelines on which to phrase your proposal.
You can have fun by making the measurements of such a tree on your own,
consult someone from NUS’ Raffles Museum <http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg>,
NParks’ Botanic Gardens <http://www.nparks.gov.sg> or the Nature
Society’s Plant Group <http://www.nss.org.sg> about the technical and
cultural aspects of the tree and its uses, talk to the older members of the
community about its role in local society and history, and make observations
about it current role.
The Minister pointed out:
“...as you explore and learn about these living monuments, you will not only
realise just how much they improve our living environment, but also, in your
own way, draw inspiration from them. With your active participation in this
programme, I am confident we will be able to conserve more of these
beautiful and majestic trees, which will make worthy legacies for future
generations.”
The ball is really in your court now. Happy nominations!
--- thanks to Airani Ramli for forwarding the press release.
---
Singapore Government Press Release
Media Relations Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the
Arts, MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369
Tel: 6837-9666
SPEECH BY DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN, MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF HERITAGE TREES SCHEME ON 23 SEPTEMBER 2002, 9.30AM
AT SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS
Professor Leo Tan, Chairman, National Parks Board;
Mr. David Eldon, Chairman, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;
A very good morning to you,
Introduction
When Sir Stamford Raffles sailed into the Straits of Singapore in 1819,
nearly our whole island was covered with dense lowland tropical forests. As
settlements grew, more and more of our greenery had to give way for the
development of a vibrant city. But we never give up preserving as much of
our lush greenery as we can while Singapore transformed dramatically into a
modern metropolis. Today, our challenge continue in preserving this green
ambience and maintaining the Garden City reputation as Singapore continues
with her economic development. As Singapore progresses, it becomes
increasingly important that we retain a sense of identity and continuity in
our living environment.
I'm sure all of us have in some way, and in varying degrees, formed
emotional attachments to the places and trees we have grown up with. It
could be the row of Rain trees whose shade we enjoyed on our way to school
or that Banyan tree under which we exchanged ghost stories in our school
compound. Somehow, knowing that they will always be there and protected
because we care enough to do so, provides us with a sense of security and a
sense of rootedness to our home. That is why we have to conserve some of the
more scenic and significant trees and tree-lined roads in Singapore. With
this intent in mind, the government initiated the Heritage Roads and
Heritage Trees schemes last year.
Heritage Trees Scheme
Majestic mature trees are the natural heritage of Singapore and serve as
graceful green landmarks in our tropical Garden City. They provide a sense
of permanence and identity to our home and truly stand out as giants in our
urban landscapes. The Heritage Trees Panel, made up of members from the
National Parks Board, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Housing Development
Board, Singapore Environment Council, People?s Association and arboriculture
experts, has endorsed an initial list of 36 such trees in Singapore that
must be conserved. Some of these trees range between 80-100 years old. Most
are located in parks and on roadside verges.
Tembusu at Botanic Gardens
This old Tembusu tree in front of you has been selected as a heritage tree.
You will recognize it as it is featured on the back of the Singapore $5
note. The Tembusu tree is native to Singapore. At more than a hundred years
old, it has stood the test of time, a war, pests and the demands of
generations of visitors to the Botanic Gardens. With a long bow branch upon
which adults rest and children perch, it has also become a favourite
photographic haunt for wedding couples, tourists and families alike. A hardy
and long-lived tree, it is there to entertain yet more generations to come.
Saving the Angsana from the axe
Another heritage tree is the majestic Angsana at Upper Serangoon Road. With
a girth of 7.7 m, it takes 5 adults with hands joined to encircle the tree.
The conservation of this tree is by no means accidental but only made
possible through the policies set out by the Heritage Trees Scheme and the
various agencies? coordinated efforts to conserve our green heritage. It was
to have been felled to make way for a road-widening project. However, the
Land Transport Authority, the Drainage Department of the Public Utilities
Board and NParks found an alternative by diverting a roadside channel, and
realigning the carriageway. Travelling along Upper Serangoon Road now, it is
indeed gratifying (for me) to see the over-arching view of this majestic
Angsana tree that stands tall amidst surrounding developments and take
comfort in the knowledge it will be there for my children and my children?s
children to enjoy.
Partnership in Green Issues
In highly developed civic societies, the partnership between the community,
corporate bodies and the Government plays an important part in shaping
environmental conservation and outreach programmes. It is therefore
heartening to note that increasingly, corporations are taking their social
responsibilities seriously. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
(HSBC) is a sterling example of how corporations can take the lead and
engender the community in a common cause. Over the years, HSBC’s support in
NParks? efforts to establish programmes and initiate outreach activities to
raise the level of nature appreciation has been invaluable. Today, HSBC has
chosen to celebrate its own heritage by marking its 125th Anniversary in
Singapore through its partnership with NParks in the Heritage Trees Scheme.
Heritage Trees Fund
Under this partnership, HSBC will establish the Heritage Trees Fund which
will go towards the protection of heritage trees such as installing
lightning conductors, as well as initiating community outreach activities to
increase public awareness about heritage trees.
Nominate-A-Heritage Tree
The Heritage Trees Scheme is a prime example of how the tripartite
relationship between the government, community and corporations can work.
With the government providing the framework for the Scheme and HSBC, the
corporate support, members of the community too can contribute by nominating
mature trees they feel are worthy of conservation. The Heritage Trees Panel
will then evaluate these nominations based on criteria such as the trees?
height and girth, and considerations such as social, cultural, historical
and educational significance. I would like to urge you to look out for
mature, significant trees around you and send your nominations to the panel.
And as you explore and learn about these living monuments, you will not only
realise just how much they improve our living environment, but also, in your
own way, draw inspiration from them. With your active participation in this
programme, I am confident we will be able to conserve more of these
beautiful and majestic trees, which will make worthy legacies for future generations.
Conclusion
It is now my pleasure to officially launch the Heritage Trees Scheme. I urge
everyone to be on the lookout for mature or interesting trees around you and
play a role in conserving a piece of living history.
Thank you.
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Mon Sep 23, 2002 11:28 am
Sivasothi N <sivasothi@...>
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