Business Aspects of a Nature Reserve

What is Nature Conservation

• Nature Conservation: the protection, preservation, management or restoration of wildlife and natural resources.

• Nature Reservation: A tract of land, of especial ecological value, set aside for the purpose of preservation and study.

• Examples of nature reserves in Singapore include Chek Jawa, Sungei Buloh and Bukit Timah.

Why the need for nature reserves &

conservation

• Merciless consumption of natural resources

• Causes destruction of environment and natural habitats

• Careless disposal of waste and by-products

In Singapore?

• As an island nation, we are ever in need of land

• We tend to disregard the value of any area of the island

• As long as there is a possibility of usable land, nothing else matters

•This has led to – the inconsiderate reclaiming of

coral rich off shore waters –Destruction of fauna rich wetlands–And obliteration of verdant forests

When did it become important to conserve?

• The world’s population at large have never realised a need to protect nature

• Only field researchers started to realize the declining state of nature and environment

• They then publicised their findings in nature journals like National Geographic Magazine

• Occasionally, they would make the news headlines

• Only then did we begin to realize that our world was dying

• Even then it took much effort to obtain permission and support from governments and communities

In Singapore?

• Our 1st reserve: Bukit Timah Hill Reserve later renamed Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

• In 1847, a geologist, Lieutenant Colonel Low, discovered the hill’s poor soil condition

• Because of the quartz and silica rich content of the granite

• To guard against soil erosion and climactic changes, the government decided to protect it

Who has been involved

• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)– World Heritage Convention

• National Geographic Society

• BBC (British Broadcasting Channel)

• Singapore: Nature Society of Singapore

Setup and Management of a Reserve

• Visitors’ Center– Gift shop– Cafeteria– Showcases– Basic amenities

• Paths through reserve are plotted with regard to the sensitivities of the area

• They are made of materials indigenous to the ground composition of the park

• In hill parks, higher regions are accessible by car

• Park rangers stationed at the center, patrolling or surveying

• Starting capital obtained from government through grants

• Revenue is generated from sale of gift shop items and from the cafeteria

In Singapore?

• Our paths are mainly marked out by boardwalks or gravel or just terra firma

• Hides and lookouts are in abundance for the quiet observation of wildlife

• Information about various fauna and flora are provided

• Tower hides enable one to experience higher flying birds such as herons

• Also a good place to take a break or plot your next course of action

Problems faced

• Corruption• Government ignorance resulting in

public ignorance• Poaching• Illegal ignorant removal of wildlife• Vandalism• Litter• Ignorant destruction

Solutions

• Generate money through– Gift shops– Rental– Sale of books and other sources of

information– Grants from the government

• Educating the public through television programs, news reports, books, newsletters, planned activities

• Contributions from concerned members of the public

• Cooperation from nature societies

• Gaining international fame to attract attention and sponsorship

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