done.. complain liao.
Singapore's water authorities (PUB) has announced plans to "develop" two reservoirs, to provide activities like wakeboarding (using motorised boats), sailing, dragon boating, radio control boats, water sports centre and pontoons. One reservoir is Bedok, which is a relatively sterile pool surrounded by industry and residential areas.
The other area is MacRitchie Reservoir, which developments like spas, F&B outlets, windsailing are being proposed. Though relatively close to the Thomson Road residential areas and the SICC golf course, MacRitchie reservoir and its adjoining rainforests are extremely rich wells of biodiversity, which the National Parks Board (a statutory body whose well-meaning efforts are sometimes negated by the goals of PUB) has admirably maintained, whilst providing unobtrusive accessibility for both nature and exercise fans. The elevated boardwalk that fringes part of the reservoir is a safe and easily navigable way to experience both the water and land-based life of the area, while the gravel paths and watchtowers in the forest at the far end of the reservoir offer greater rewards for birdwatchers and cross-country runners alike.
Where else in Singapore can you still find such an abundance of aquatic biodiversity: from tiny Boraras maculatus, croaking gouramis, 3-spot gouramis, giant gouramis, Rasbora elegans, Rasbora einthovenni, Aplocheilus panchax, Puntius hexazona, Clarias bartrachus, Trigonostima heteromorpha (harlequin rasbora), halfbeaks, tinfoil barbs and snakeheads to a motely assortment of aliens (pacus, geophagus cichlids, tilapia, arowanas, sumatran barbs).... and there is in addition the variety of plants (Cryptocoryne griffithi, Blyxa aubertii, mosses, liverworts, ferns) that grow by the banks and feeder streams. I have also found in some streams a population of Malayan River Turtles, which were not known previously to occur in Singapore at all.
The local press, in their typical cheerleading stance towards any government proposal, are claiming that 90% of feedback is positive. Judging by the sheer number of people who throng MacRitchie Reservoir in the evenings and weekends (in most benign ways: jogging, picnicking, bird and nature watching, canoeing, angling), I can't believe that the rather disruptive activities proposed by PUB are meeting no opposition. What is more, they seem to be dismissing the concerns of nearby residents of possible noise pollution from motorised boats, racuous crowds (from concerts) as well as worries about pollution and erosion that could be caused by leisure boaters. These are simply ward off as nothing to worry about.
I have provided my 2 cents worth to PUB, and I hope forummers here can do so as well..... it's just a simple form at: https://www.pub.gov.sg/forms/ReservoirFeedback.php
My take on this is: Why should the opinions of people who don't really appreciate nature (and only want a new place to eat and have fun) outweigh the not-insignificant numbers of people who appreciate and enjoy nature in its undisturbed form? And how could the noise pollution worries of nearby residents be dismissed outright engineers claiming that a motorised boat is no noisier than a car?
Speak up or lose out!
done.. complain liao.
thanks....although it looks like this is yet another foreconcluded plan dished out with a modicum of feedback that is somehow overwhelmingly positive. Some people just can't see a patch of nature without wanting to "develop" it.
Compained already...Come on everyone make a stand...
Done !
did my part too. more should help, i really do not wish to see more nature spaces give way to intrusive human activities.
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do not do to others what you will not want done to you!
be kind! =)
Think PUB will still carry on with plan regardless if ppl object to it.Anyway made my stand really hopes it made a difference.
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