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Hosted by a range of organizations, ‘Green Justice for Sustainable Communities’ was this year’s theme for Law Awareness Weeks at the Community Development Council of Singapore. On Monday, the 16th of September, the session conducted was titled ‘Your Backyard Sanctuary: Legal Protection for Singapore’s Biodiversity.’ The panel comprised Ms. Sadhana Rai, the Head of Representation at Pro Bono SG, who served as moderator; Dr. Joseph Chun, Partner at Shook Lin & Bok, LLP, who provided expert insight into the legal regime governing various aspects of biodiversity; and Mr. Ganesh Kumar, Chairperson of the Woodlands Botanical Garden, a biodiversity garden set up in the urban hub of Singapore.
Ms. Angbeen Mirza, the representative of the Roya Institute for Global Justice in Pakistan, participated in this webinar on behalf of the Institute and prepared this report for those interested in this timely and important topic. While we thank Angbeen, we are pleased to share her report with you.
The panel began by examining the Woodlands Botanical Garden and Mr. Kumar’s inspiration behind its development. Mr. Kumar explained that while there were many community gardens in Singapore, they mostly focused on animal preservation, so he aimed to do something different. The Woodland Garden looks at flora and fauna. In deciding how to select the birds, bees, and butterflies for the garden, Mr. Kumar’s decision was guided by species local to the area, ensuring the flourishing of biodiversity. He shared his approach of learning by doing, noting that many lessons were learned along the way, ultimately leading to the establishment of Woodlands Botanical Garden.
On the other side of flourishing biodiversity is legal protection. Dr. Chun shared his extensive knowledge of the statutes that protect various forms of biodiversity, including the Wildlife Act, the Parks and Trees Act, and others. These laws outline activities that are restricted (those requiring permission) as well as those that are completely prohibited. Some laws provide lists of endangered species, while others seek to protect all wildlife from intentional trapping or keeping. For instance, it is allowed to collect eggs with permission, but humans cannot take any action that will injure an animal or damage a tree. It is not allowed to release wildlife into nature reserves. There are separate sanctuaries where people may take animals if they cannot care for them anymore. The practical application of these protections within a biodiverse garden presents its own unique challenges.
It is prohibited to pluck flowers from public parks—something that may seem obvious, but people often overlook. Additionally, it is not even allowed to pick up dead flowers that have fallen to the ground, as these are also part of the biodiversity and belong to the park. Natural waste, including dead flowers or insects from the park, goes back into the ecosystem as mulch or compost. Woodlands Botanical Gardens strives to educate people on these matters
The speakers noted the presence of some endangered animals in Singapore, including:
- The pangolin
- Pangolin scales
- Indian star tortoise
- Common birdwing (Singapore’s largest butterfly, with vulnerable status)
The panel also addressed cohabitation with animals, highlighting the importance of ensuring safety for both humans and animals. Even if an animal is damaging property, it is not permitted to trap or kill them. Citizens must call the authorities to remove the animals from their property. Examples included incidents of otters attacking food or a python entering residential premises.
The panel concluded with a discussion about the status of biodiversity and nature in Singapore and the best path forward. Some countries recognize a legal right to nature, where indigenous communities act as guardians for the environment. While Singapore has many laws in place, gaps remain. For example, there is no law mandating an environmental impact assessment for large projects. This is currently done by policy, allowing for discretion. The panelists emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence with nature, the need for ongoing education, and the idea that gardening and nature are for everyone—not just those who consider themselves proficient in matters of nature.