Tag Archives: Singapore

Air pollution in South East Asia

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This video is called Singapore’s air pollution level hits new record high amid haze.

By Gustav Kemper:

Air pollution emergency in South East Asia points to systemic failure

27 June 2013

On Sunday, June 23, 2013, the government of Malaysia declared a state of emergency for the two southern districts of Muar and Ledang, where raging forest and plantation fires are causing air pollution at a level not seen in history.

The Air Pollutant Index (API) climbed to 746 at 7 a.m., reaching double the level considered to be hazardous and life threatening to elderly people and young children if exposed over a long period of time. Government offices, schools, factories, plantations and construction sites were closed as well as schools in the region of Malacca, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

In Singapore, the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) spiked at 401 on Friday afternoon, surpassing by far the level for unhealthy air, which is at 100. All values above 300 are considered as hazardous.

While wild fires and haze are an annual occurrence in the dry season in Indonesia and Malaysia, with small farmers burning crops to clear the land for new plants, the dramatic expansion of large palm oil plantations and deforestation for pulp production of paper mills have the largest impact on the air pollution in the region.

With the estimated production of some 31 million metric tons (MT) in 2013, Indonesia supplies 53 percent of the world palm oil trade. Malaysia follows with some 33 percent, or 19 million MT.

The Indonesian government was quick to blame Malaysian or Singaporean companies owning large oil palm plantations, while the Malaysian and Singaporean authorities pointed at the responsibility of Indonesia to enforce anti-burning laws in Sumatra.

As the financial district of Singapore vanished in thick haze, the government hurried to insure the public that all measures are being taken to tackle the issue. However, the health authorities were ill prepared as air filter masks were on short supply and pharmacies were out of stock for several days.

Fearing the negative impact on the tourist business and damage to the reputation of a “clean city” and ideal headquarter for foreign investors, the government hurried to announce an action plan, distributing 200,000 free face masks to the poorest households and offering support to the Indonesian firefighters.

At the same time, they tried to downplay the issue by pointing out that the PSI index of 401 was measured as a 3-hour average index and thus more sensitive to the peak values of the air pollution. They suggested that a 24-hour average index was a more realistic indicator of the health risk.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who was meeting with residents of the Ang Mo Kio constituency, insisted that “for most people, the haze is an inconvenience; life can carry on”. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, chairing the Haze Inter-Ministerial Committee, stated that while companies were advised to distribute masks to construction workers, the “country cannot grind to a halt” because of the haze.

While governments are clearly more concerned about the commercial impact of the haze, ordinary working people are angry that after many years, the recurring problem of haze has not been brought under control.

In fact, it is impossible to deal with the problem in a system where a quick return on investments is the guiding mantra of business.

June 2013. WWF has renewed calls for zero-burn policies to be enacted and enforced, as satellite hotspot analysis showed the single jurisdiction of Riau Province, Sumatra as the location of over 88% per cent of the fire hotspots that have seen Singapore and parts of Malaysia blanketed with the worst haze and pollution since 1997: here.

Singapore pressed Indonesia today to share maps that could identify plantation companies responsible for setting fires that cause deadly smogs: here.

After three weeks of improved air quality, the thick haze of smoke from deliberately lit forest fires, which began to spread across Indonesia in July, has returned to the province of South Sumatra. On October 14, the haze descended on the provincial capital of Palembang, causing the city’s Air Pollutant Index (API) to soar to an all-time high of 921. The return of the smog forced the closure of Palembang’s airport and most of its schools: here.

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Qatar Internet censorship

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This video from the USA is called Internet Censorship – Jillian C. York.

From daily The Morning Star in Britain:

Qatar tightens internet laws

Friday 31 May 2013

Qatar: The government followed other Gulf states yesterday in backing internet rules that widen controls over news websites.

Gulf nations have sharply increased arrests over social media posts on charges that include insulting rulers.

Qatar’s measures would give wide leeway to punish websites or social media users for items considered a threat to “state security” or the “general order.”

News websites reporting on Singapore were told on the 29th May that will have to obtain government licences: here.

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Naturalist Alfred Wallace on the Internet

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This video is called Operation Wallacea – Indonesia schools expedition.

From Wildlife Extra:

Historic collection of naturalist Alfred Wallace goes online for the first time

Treasure-trove of writings and images by the co-discoverer of natural selection

October 2012. The complete works of the great naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace have been made freely available online on the Wallace Online website.

First announcement of the theory of evolution by natural selection

Amongst the thousands of pages of writings, it includes the first announcement of the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Wallace and Darwin

Since the scientist’s death 99 years ago, Wallace’s complete publications have never been gathered together. The new website is unveiled in time for the centenary celebrations in 2013 that mark the anniversary of Wallace’s death in 1913.

Back in the 1850s, Wallace independently formulated the theory of evolution by natural selection during a fit of tropical fever. He later sent an outline of the theory – in one of the greatest ironies in history – to Charles Darwin. To avoid a priority dispute, papers by both men were read together at a London scientific meeting in July 1858. The event unleashed the Darwinian revolution whose shockwaves continue to this day.

Wallace has long been in the shadow of his more famous contemporary Charles Darwin. The compilation of this new website is timely and long overdue. It provides 28,000 pages of searchable historical documents and 22,000 images. They can now be seen free of charge by anyone around the globe at Wallace Online.

Wallace’s contributions to biodiversity

Wallace spent four years as a collector in Brazil (1848-1853) and eight years in Southeast Asia (1854-1862). In addition to collecting an astonishing 125,000 specimens of insects and birds, Wallace proposed a sharp dividing line between the Asian and Australian animals in the archipelago. This line still bears his name today and is called The Wallace Line.

One of the most influential scientists in history

Dr van Wyhe, project director, said: “Wallace was one of the most influential scientists in history. But until now, it has been impossible to see all of his writings. For the first time, this collection allows anyone to search through his writings about Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, and see many of the birds and insects that he collected.”

Dr van Wyhe holds a joint appointment as Senior Lecturer at NUS’ Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of History, under Faculty of Science and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, respectively. He is also the founder and director of the award-winning Darwin Online at the University of Cambridge, UK.

This project was directed by historian Dr John van Wyhe from the National University of Singapore (NUS). The Wallace Online project was made possible by an anonymous grant from an American donor.

New Sri Lankan frog discovery

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This video is about a species, related to the just discovered Sri Lankan species:

Polypedates leucomystax – “Quack!” calls.

Singapore, 3rd February 2012 (night).

From Zootaxa:

Abstract

A new species of frog tentatively assigned to the genus Polypedates is described from the Gilimale forest reserve of the Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka.

This tree frog is characterized by unique osteological characteristics in the skull which distinguish it from all other congeners, such as the presence of a series of maxillary teeth progressively changing orientation from horizontal to vertical from posterior end to anterior; a laterally-curved spine in the quadratojugal bone; and bony co-ossification on the skull resulting in four dorsal spines which are externally seen as protrusions in the parietal area. Bioacoustic observations of Polypedates ranwellai sp. nov. revealed three distinct call types.

High rates of deforestation and anthropogenic activities at the type locality threaten the survival of the species.

June 29, 2005: New frogs found in Sri Lanka but others extinct: here.

Help Thailand hornbills

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This video is called Singapore Hornbill Project – Return of the King.

From Wildlife Extra:

Thai hornbills supported by UK charity

Money donated by Colchester Zoo’s charity Action for the Wild supports vital conservation research for three hornbill families in Thailand

June 2012. In 2011, Colchester Zoo’s charity Action for the Wild sponsored families of rhinoceros, wreathed and great hornbill species which all nest around the Budo Mountain area, part of the Budo-Sungai Padu National Park in Thailand.

Chicks

In 2011, the wreathed hornbill family were successful in fledging a chick meaning that this family have been very successful having fledged 9 chicks since 1999. The new great hornbill family were also successful in fledging a chick during 2011 resulting in this family having another successful breeding year bringing the total to 12 fledged chicks since 1994. It was noted that both of these families had similar nesting diets made up of almost entirely fruits mainly of fig species.

Rhinoceros hornbill

The rhinoceros hornbill family also successfully fledged one chick during their nesting season. However, their diet throughout the nesting period was different as although they ate mainly fruits which were not of the fig species. This family have produced at least 7 chicks since 2000. Some data collection by the team during 2011 was incomplete for some of the other family groups they monitor due to poor weather conditions and incidents of unrest in Thailand’s southernmost provinces, and so workings in unsafe areas had to pause.

The Hornbill Family Adoption Program will still carry on for 2012, with the project continuing to monitor our hornbill families. The team will also continue to promote hornbill conservation and train villagers as nature guides, so they can earn an income in a more sustainable way.

Colchester Zoo’s charity Action for the Wild has been supporting the Hornbill Research Foundation since 2002 annually donating $450 to support three hornbill families in Thailand.

Singaporean anti-shark finning campaign

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This photo says about itself:

Ex-Miss Singapore Universe Jessica Tan is the face of “No Shark Fins Singapore”. Yahoo photo/Melissa Aw.

From AsiaOne, Saturday, Apr 14, 2012:

“No Shark Fins Singapore” campaign launched

SINGAPORE – A nationwide “No Sharks Fins Singapore” campaign was launched at the Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) 2012 on Friday in a bid to make Singapore shark fin-free by 2013.

The organisers of the campaign, led by dive enthusiast Michael Aw, have the tall order of convincing all Chinese restaurants here to remove the dish from their menus and corporate events.

The initiative first started as an online petition earlier in January. It attracted some 80,000 supporters within its first two weeks of being posted up.

As it garnered strong support online, the group decided to formally launch a campaign to push for greater impact.

Explaining the need for action, organiser Michael Aw said: “Being a prominent economy in the heart of Asia, Singapore should take the lead being to be socially responsible to be the first in Asia to make this happen.”

Through the campaign, the group hopes to actively conduct outreach programmes to primary and secondary schools to educate students about shark conservation.

So far, non-profit organisations like WWF Singapore, Project FIN, Fauna and Flora International, IUCN, Shark Research Institute, and Humane Society International have shown support for this campaign.

FFI supports No Shark Fins Singapore Campaign: here.

Governments in the region need to work together to establish a common policy to manage overfishing of sharks in the Arabian Gulf, scientists said: here.

Singapore shark fin victory

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From Oceana:

Shark Fin Victory in Singapore

Posted Fri, Jan 6, 2012 by RProkop

In Singapore, we’re seeing more proof that dedicated activists can make a difference in the world. Singapore is one of the shark fin capitals of the world, but thanks to an outcry from local customers, its largest supermarket chain, Fairprice, will be pulling fins from its shelves.

Shark fins are often cut from live sharks, which are then thrown overboard to die. The huge demand for fins, considered a delicacy, puts some shark species at risk of extinction.

And while shark fin is a culturally important food in Singapore, the tide is turning. A campaign by divers against shark fins caused one of Fairprice’s suppliers to launch an online attack ad that said “Screw the divers!”

Luckily for sharks, the ad backfired. Not all Singaporeans are shark fin fans. Local groups like Project Fin have been fighting to create change from the inside out, and they are finally having an impact. In response to the ad, Singaporeans sent hundreds of complaints to Fairprice and suggested a boycott.

In response, Fairprice made the smart—and surprising—decision to stop selling shark fins.

“It is encouraging to see FairPrice respond promptly to the public reaction. They can progress further by selling only sustainable food,” said Jennifer Lee, founder of Project Fin.

Kudos to the Singaporean shark protectors for such a powerful victory in the wake of cultural pressure.

Why planting mangroves is good news for whale sharks: here.

Petition: Stop the Shark killing in the Red Sea.

First wreathed hornbill nest found in Malaysia

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This is a video of an Oriental pied hornbill in Singapore.

Also about this species: here.

From BirdLife:

First Wreathed Hornbill breeding increases calls to protect Temengor

12-07-2007

A team from the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) has established the first confirmed nesting of a pair of Wreathed Hornbills Aceros undulatus in Malaysia.

The discovery was made during a survey of hornbills in the Temengor section of the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex at the end of May 2007, by MNS Hornbill Conservation Project Field Officer Lim Kim Chye, Lim Swee Yian and an indigenous tracker. The male bird was observed feeding berries to its mate in a sealed hole with a chick inside.

The Wreathed Hornbill’s range extends from North-east India and Myanmar to South-east Asia to the greater Sundas and Bali. Although Wreathed Hornbills are recorded in Malaysia, no nesting tree had ever been found due to their secretive nature and the inaccessible terrain.

Belum-Temengor is the only place where all ten hornbill species occurring in Malaysia can be found together. “These hornbills are known to migrate long distances in search of fruiting resources and therefore require large contiguous areas of forest to survive,” said Yeap Chin Aik, Head of Conservation. “The Belum-Temengor complex has time and again proved to be a hotspot for hornbill diversity.”

For the past two years, the MNS team has been locating nesting hornbills with the assistance of indigenous communities living in the forest complex. As a result, nine other hornbill nests from five other species have been found in the Temengor section. These include the Helmeted Hornbill Rhinoplax vigil, Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis, Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros, Bushy-crested Hornbill Anorrhinus galeritus and Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris.

“These discoveries further reiterate the importance of Belum-Temengor to hornbills,” said Yeap Chin Aik. “It also gives hope that the globally threatened Plain-pouched Hornbills, a close relative of the Wreathed hornbill, may perhaps be nesting in Belum-Temengor too.”

In May 2007 the Perak State Government gazetted the Royal Belum State Park. This followed a six-month campaign by MNS which received the support of more than 80,000 people through postcards and online signatures. A total of 117,500 ha has been set aside as the State Park, roughly a quarter of the area (280,000ha) MNS has been lobbying for.

The Temengor Forest Reserve, however, remains unprotected, classified as a Permanent Forest Estate under Malaysian law. Logging still continues, although the Perak state government announced in August 2006 that this will cease by 2008.

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Singapore, bulwark of rare Asian songbird

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This video says about itself:

Shot on January 31, 2015, at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore.

Straw-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus)

From The annotated budak:

Living on the Edge: The Straw-headed Bulbul in Pulau Ubin

Singapore tends to be seen as a place where wildlife is barely hanging on.

Its native megafauna has long been extinguished, while a handful of endemics cling to the precipice of extinction in the island’s fragile central reserves.

So it might surprise some, including this duck, that a species of global conservation significance is actually finding sanctuary in Singapore, even as it faces extermination in neighbouring countries.

The creature in question is an unspectacular songbird called the straw-headed bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus), which has found a safe haven in Singapore’s wooded areas, in particular Pulau Ubin.

Remarkably, there is no record of this species in Singapore prior to 1951, and even till to 1970s, the bulbul was not known to be common, even on Ubin.

A bird survey in 1992 counted 50 birds on Ubin, which fell to 30 in 2000.

However, the population rebounded to about 32 breeding pairs in 2001, whilst the mainland recorded a estimate of 76-93 birds.

Revealing these figures, Dr. Ho Hua Chew of the Nature Society of Singapore shared the background behind a recent field study he conducted on Pulau Ubin to analyse the habitat preferences and prevalence of the bulbul.

The largest bulbul species in Southeast Asia, the straw-headed bulbul is a perky brown-bodied bird boasting a yellow crown, white throat and a black streak across its cheek.

Liquid gold

The bulbul’s rich, melodious song, described as liquid gold, is more often heard than the bird itself, and has led to the species’ disappearance from of its former range.

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