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Singapore vow to protect World Heritage Botanic Gardens

Xinhua, August 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Singaporean government is committed to protect Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is recently accorded UNESCO World Heritage Site status, with "robust measures", said Lawrence Wong, Singapore's Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, on Monday.

In response to a question in the parliament, Wong said the government has implemented many measures to ensure that the UNESCO World Heritage Site remains "a peaceful green oasis in the city".

Planning framework of Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) ensures that new developments in the vicinity of the Gardens are compatible with it.

The Gardens have a Height Control Area defined by the area contained within a one-km radium from the Bandstand, which ensures that no new development can be seen from the Bandstand.

Measures to protect the more vulnerable heritage trees have been put in place. Future developments will be designed and sited carefully to spread visitors more evenly across the Gardens, said the minister.

Singapore's National Parks Board (NParks) has also increased the frequency of inspections for historical buildings in the Gardens by professional engineers, after recommendations from UNESCO's expert advisory body ICOMOS.

Wong highlighted that NParks has a volunteer scheme, which allows the public to make contribution in areas such as gardening, conducting guided tour and assisting in the curation and documentation of herbarium specimens. A World Heritage Site Management Committee that includes residents, experts and volunteers has also been formed.

Wong also said Singapore government will continue to engage UNESCO closely and will seek advice from UNESCO experts to ensure the site is well protected. Endi