Singapore
has undergone a big transformation from pre-independence to modern day in the
aspects of economy, social and environment. In achieving the vision to
transform Singapore to city in a garden, Singapore has been dealing with its
pollution issues including the cleaning up of Singapore River.
Figure 1 Illustration of city in a
garden
Source: (Ng, 2013)
In 1819,
Sir Stamford Raffles established Singapore as the first free port in the
region, Raffles succeeded in attracting merchant ships from all around the
world. Since merchandise from these ships had to pass through the Singapore
River enroute to the godowns and shophouses, the river became a focal point of
trading activities. Immigrants from countries such as India and China also
settled in the vicinity of the river, resulting in the rapid but unplanned
growth of a town along the river. (SINGAPORE RIVER TRAIL)
The rivers'
pollution had grown as for decades, the river residents had lived in unsewered
premises and disposed their farm wastes into the river. These included families
living on bum boats, hawkers, squatters, pig farms and duck farms. (Thulaja) Once teeming with a
variety of underwater life, pollutants caused by human activity turned the
river into a flowing wasteland devoid of oxygen, resulting in the extinction of
many aquatic creatures by the 1970s. (NEA)
Figure 2 The Singapore River as a
dumping ground before clean-up
Source: (Lim & Tay, 2002)
On 27
February 1977, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had set the target of a decade for
the Ministry of Environment to clean up Singapore River and Kallang River,
because the government realized that clean environment would attract foreign
investments which boost the economy. (NEA)
The strategy
for clean-up activities was firstly, to stop various activities causing
pollution to the river. Secondly, involving the removal of rubbish debris and
dredging of contaminated material from the riverbed. It also included the
resettlement of industries, farms and squatters to alternative settlement with
proper sanitation and sewer system, which eliminated the source of pollution. (NEA)
Figure 3 Clean-up of rubbish
debris
Source: (Singapore River)
Between
1986 and 1990, more than a million fish, including sea bass and red tilapia,
and prawns were released into the river to breed and regenerate life
underwater. (NEA) Several engineering
measures were used to prevent further pollution such as covering drains in
litter-prone areas with slabs, installing vertical gratings at selected outlet
drains leading to main canals and rivers and installing floatbooms across
rivers and canals. A system of stiff fines was also imposed on littering
offenders. The total cost of the river clean-up was S$300 million, excluding
resettlement compensation. (Thulaja)
Figure 4 Before and After of Singapore
River (North Boat Quay)
Source: (P)
The cost of the decision to transform Singapore River from
the unhygienic and foul river to the vibrant and clean environment is S$300
million. However, it is a good investment because the paybacks are
aesthetically pleasant environment for water activities, tourist attraction,
habitat for aquatic life, improved public health, attraction for foreign
investment and etc.
This illustrates the interaction between environment, social
and economy. Isn’t environmental protection important?
Works Cited
Lim, C., &
Tay, A. (2002, August). The Changing Faces of Singapore. Retrieved
August 24, 2014, from Skyline: http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline02/skyline02-04/text/changingfaces2.html
NEA, E. T. (n.d.).
Issue One A Bi-annual NEA Publication envision. Retrieved August 24,
2014, from http://www.nea.gov.sg/cms/sei/envision_11jan_issue1.pdf
Ng, L. (2013,
December 11). A City in a Garden. Retrieved August 24, 2014, from Civil
Service College Singapore:
https://www.cscollege.gov.sg/Knowledge/Ethos/World%20Cities%20Summit/Pages/08A%20City%20in%20a%20Garden.aspx
P, J. (n.d.). Cleaning
Up Of Singapore River 1977-1987. Retrieved August 24, 2014, from
http://pemsea.org/eascongress/international-conference/presentation_t6-1_Jothieswaran.pdf
Singapore River. (n.d.).
Retrieved August 24, 2014, from Robertson Quay:
http://www.robertsonquay.com/singapore-river.html
SINGAPORE RIVER
TRAIL. (n.d.). Retrieved August 24, 2014, from National Heritage Board:
http://www.nhb.gov.sg/NHBPortal/faces/pages_Page_2fb5949f_141c7796dde__7ff2/Page_2fb5949f_141c7796dde__7fe5/Page676153b2_1420c0e6ed4__7fe5?_afrLoop=3079295994496038&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=fkeljr3tg_1#%40%3F_afrWindowId%3Dfkeljr3tg_1%26_afrLoop%3D30
Thulaja, N. R.
(n.d.). Clean Rivers Education Programme and Clean River Commemoration.
Retrieved August 24, 2014, from singaporeinfopedia:
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_398__2008-12-02.html
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