A Natural Connection Nparks Annual Report 2016/2017 1 a Natural Connection
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
A NATURAL CONNECTION NPARKS ANNUAL REPORT 2016/2017 1 A NATURAL CONNECTION ANNUAL REPORT 2016/2017 A NATURAL CONNECTION NPARKS ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 A NATURAL CONNECTION 2 NPARKS ANNUAL REPORT 2016/2017 NPARKS ANNUAL REPORT 2016/2017 3 A Natural Connection Human beings have an innate affinity for nature. Even as modernity and urbanisation become the predominant influences in our lives, we still find ourselves turning to nature to enhance our physical and mental well-being. We find respite and rejuvenation in nature and continue to be enchanted and enthralled by the biodiversity in our midst. There is a word for this. It is “biophilia” — the love of living things that leads us on a constant quest for “A Natural Connection”. A NATURAL CONNECTION CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE A NATURAL CONNECTION 4 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 NPARKS ANNUAL REPORT 2016/2017 5 CONTENTS CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE The Learning Forest in the Singapore Botanic Gardens is an example of our commitment to balance conservation with education. Opened in March 2017 at the Gardens’ Tyersall-Gallop Core, visitors can now explore formerly dense forest via boardwalks and elevated walkways, observing the restored wetlands and mature trees of the century-old forest. Beyond the Botanic Gardens, NParks’ stewardship of over 350 parks and gardens allows all Singaporeans to enjoy the restorative benefits of nature close to home. In the west, we are developing Jurong Lake Gardens and our Coastal Adventure Corridor will “ link park connectors so that cyclists, walkers and Even in an urban runners may seamlessly enjoy the variety of habitats environment, it is possible and recreational choices along our eastern coastline. to nurture a personal By fostering a love of nature through daily experience, connection with nature. we cultivate an appreciation for all that is alive and vital. Today, many Singaporeans across all age ” groups are participating in nature-based activities, As Singapore’s lead agency for greening our from gardening to conservation surveying. We also streetscapes, developing our parks and conserving our welcome community leadership. This year, Friends biodiversity, the National Parks Board (NParks) has of Chestnut Nature Park, Friends of Park Connector successfully woven nature into our urban environment. Network and Friends of Sungei Buloh Wetland This year, we planted more than 52,000 trees and Reserve joined the Friends of Ubin Network to help introduced 22 new species, earning Singapore the us improve the way in which we can better shape the CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE 05 GARDEN CITY FUND 42 accolade of being the world’s greenest city, ahead future of these parks and gardens. of Sydney, Geneva, Vancouver and Frankfurt. Under MEMBERS OF THE BOARD 06 ENHANCING THE 46 NATURAL CONNECTION the Nature Conservation Masterplan, we identified We were recognised as the world’s greenest city because a third of our urban areas is covered by MANAGEMENT TEAM 08 terrestrial and marine native flora and fauna for FACTS & FIGURES 54 species recovery efforts, including the critically- greenery. At NParks, we also want all Singaporeans to enjoy nature. This vision of a City in a Garden is ORGANISATION STRUCTURE 10 endangered Raffles’ Banded Langur and four CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 60 Hanguana species native to Singapore. a continuous work in progress, and we thank you for BUILDING THE 12 your continual support towards this aim. NATURAL CONNECTION PUBLICATIONS 62 Our City in a Garden is proof that even in an urban environment, it is possible to nurture a personal CONSERVING THE 22 FINANCIAL REVIEW 66 connection with nature. At NParks, we are motivated NATURAL CONNECTION to create multiple opportunities for Singaporeans to FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 70 experience nature’s beauty and to learn about the MRS CHRISTINA ONG SHARING THE 32 diversity of our natural heritage. Chairman, National Parks Board NATURAL CONNECTION A NATURAL CONNECTION MEMBERS OF THE BOARD A NATURAL CONNECTION 6 NPARKS ANNUAL REPORT 2016/2017 NPARKS ANNUAL REPORT 2016/2017 7 MEMBERS OF Mrs Koh-Lim was Chief Planner and Deputy Chief Executive of the Dr Suriani is Senior Lecturer at the Department of Malay Studies, THE BOARD Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) from 2001 to 2008. Her career National University of Singapore. She is trained as a social MRS KOH-LIM DR SURIANI AS OF 1 OCTOBER 2017 with URA spanned over three decades, during which she played a WEN GIN SURATMAN anthropologist. Her teaching and research cover areas on Malay key role in the strategic planning and design of Singapore’s city and Board Member Board Member culture and society. She has conducted research in Singapore, urban landscape, and the conservation of Singapore’s built heritage. Malaysia and the Philippines. She is currently Deputy Chairman of the She is currently Director of Keppel Land Limited, Board Member of Malay Heritage Foundation Board of Directors. She is also a board Sentosa Development Corporation, Chairman of Sentosa Cove Resort member of the National Gallery Singapore and National Heritage Management Ltd and Senior Advisor to private firms. In 2009, Board. In addition, Dr Suriani is a potter and has done commissioned Mrs Koh-Lim was conferred the Meritorious Service Award by the creative pieces for Temasek Holdings, The Sentosa Resort and Spa, Government of Singapore. National Heritage Board, Patron of the Year Award and Singapore International Foundation. Dr Malone-Lee is Director of the Centre for Sustainable Asian Cities, GUY HARVEY- School of Design and Environment at the National University of DR MALONE-LEE Mr Harvey-Samuel was formerly Group General Manager, Chief LAI CHOO SAMUEL Singapore. She has previously worked in strategic planning, urban Board Member Board Member Executive Officer of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation planning policies and heritage conservation. Her current research Limited (HSBC), Singapore. A member of HSBC’s Asian Executive focuses on urban sustainability, and its nexus with development, Committee, Mr Harvey-Samuel was directly responsible for all HSBC economic growth and city culture. She supports various regional operations based in Singapore. He continues to serve HSBC as a and international organisations in their work on sustainable urban non-executive Director, and is also currently a member of the Advisory development, including the United Nations Economic and Social Board of the National Youth Achievement Award Council and National Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), APEC and World Bank. Arts Council, as well as the boards of Surbana Jurong Private Limited and Jurong Town Corporation. Member of Parliament for the Marine Parade GRC, Mr Seah is also Chief Executive Officer of NTUC Fairprice Co-operative Limited. SEAH KIAN Mr Huang is Managing Director of Amoy Canning Corporation (S) Ltd, GEORGE HUANG PENG Mr Seah has worked in both the public and private sectors, and serves Board Member a pioneer in the food processing industry in Asia. An active leader and Board Member in various public and community organisations. He is on the board of contributor in business and the community, he serves on the boards and Consumers Goods Forum, International Co-operative Alliance, committees of various organisations including Singapore Manufacturing Singapore Centre for Social Enterprises, Centre for Fathering and Federation, Singapore Business Advisors & Consultants Council and MRS CHRISTINA ONG Singapore Olympic Foundation. He is a Fellow of the Singapore Institute Consumers Association of Singapore. He was also formerly the Chairman of Directors and Chartered Institute of Marketing. He also chairs the Honorary Consul General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Harvard Business School Club of Singapore and the Marine Parade to Singapore. Mrs Christina Ong is founder, owner and managing Leadership Foundation. director of the COMO Group, which comprises luxury fashion retail company Club 21, hospitality company COMO Hotels and Resorts, wellness brand COMO Shambhala, and philanthropic Mr Sohmen-Pao is Chairman of BW Group Limited, BW LPG Limited, MS JAMIE ANG Ms Ang currently heads the Fiscal Policy Directorate in the Ministry of ANDREAS Board Member grantmaker COMO Foundation. BW Offshore Limited and Singapore Maritime Foundation. He is also SOHMEN-PAO Finance, where she oversees overall fiscal planning and the development a non-executive director of Singapore Symphonia Company Ltd. Board Member of budget policies for ministries as well as strategic planning and Mr Sohmen-Pao was previously Chief Executive Officer of BW Group. economic analysis for the finance ministry. Prior to this, she served as In 1995, Mrs Ong was awarded the Cavaliere del He has also served as a non-executive director of Hongkong Shanghai Director for Land and Infrastructure Programmes as well as Director for Lavoro and received the Italian Fashion Hall of Fame Banking Corporation, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Social Programmes in the ministry. She has also served in the Ministry Award for her accomplishments, leadership and Sport Singapore and The Esplanade Co Ltd amongst others. of National Development and the Ministry of Health. contributions to the fashion world. Mr Sohmen-Pao holds an honours degree (BA Hons) from Oxford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Mr Er began his career in National Parks Board (NParks) and has been Mr Fernandez is Editor-in-Chief of The Straits Times and English/Malay/ involved in the planning, implementation and management of parks Tamil Media Group of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH). He has been with WARREN KENNETH ER and streetscapes in the city. In 2003, he was seconded to the Ministry FERNANDEZ Board Member and SPH since 1990. Mr Fernandez graduated with First Class Honours from of National Development, where he oversaw policies and was actively Board Member Chief Executive Oxford University, where he read Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Officer, National involved in the review of legislation pertaining to parks and greenery Parks Board and also has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard infrastructure, agri-veterinary issues, and building and construction.