Measures to Safeguard and Ensure Long-term Stewardship of Ecological Restoration Assets Created under OneMillionTrees Movement
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the measures to safeguard ecological restoration assets under the OneMillionTrees movement and the framework for their long-term stewardship. Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about protection for community-established sites, and Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat explained that the National Parks Board (NParks) manages these via maintenance regimes and the Parks and Trees Act. This legislation requires NParks' approval for site works to minimize ecological impact, with unauthorized clearance punishable by fines up to $50,000 or imprisonment. Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat noted that NParks conducts regular inspections and reviews its processes to ensure they remain relevant and robust. These efforts safeguard records and green spaces, ensuring that trees established under both the movement and the Forest Restoration Action Plan are legally protected and maintained.
Transcript
68 Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for National Development (a) what measures are in place to safeguard ecological restoration assets created under the OneMillionTrees movement; and (b) how does the Ministry account for the long-term stewardship of such assets, particularly where they have been established with community participation.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The National Parks Board (NParks) stewards the trees and planting sites established under the OneMillionTrees (OMT) movement and the Forest Restoration Action Plan (FRAP). NParks maintains records of the planting sites under both programmes, with post-planting maintenance regimes in place to support tree establishment and survival.
Trees planted on NParks-managed green spaces, including planting sites under OMT and FRAP, are protected under the Parks and Trees Act (PTA). Under the Act, any works affecting trees and vegetation in national parks, nature reserves, public parks as well as mature trees in tree conservation areas and on vacant lands must first be approved by NParks. Contractors must obtain NParks' approval before proceeding with site works and must comply with NParks' stipulated conditions, such as to minimise ecological impact.
NParks conducts inspections on work sites in NParks-managed green spaces to ensure contractors comply with NParks' protocols and that the works remain within designated areas. Unauthorised clearance of land in NParks-managed green spaces without the approval of the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation constitutes an offence under the PTA. For example, convicted parties may be fined up to $50,000, face imprisonment of up to six months or both for unauthorised clearance of greenery within nature reserves.
NParks regularly reviews its processes to ensure they are relevant and robust in safeguarding our green spaces.