10 November 2001

SPEECH BY RADM TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND 2ND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE AND MP FOR PASIR RIS PUNGGOL GRC AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF NORTHEAST GREEN CONNECTION & ADOPTION OF SPICE GARDEN BY NORTHEAST GREEN GROUP AND GREENVIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL ON SATURDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2001 AT PASIR RIS PARK @ 10.15 AM

1 This morning, I would like to relate to you a popular children's story. This simple yet poignant story is called 'The Giving Tree', written by the late Shel Silverstein, an American author. It is a touching story about the relationship between a boy and a tree. The tree gave unconditionally of itself to the boy and they had a good relationship. When the boy grew up and desired material things, the tree gave up its apples, branches and trunk so as to make the boy happy. And the boy continued to take from the tree and gave nothing in return until the tree was reduced to a mere stump. But, by that time, the boy was already an old man and only sought comfort and rest. Despite the boy's treatment of the tree, it was still happy to have been able to serve the boy.

2 Relating the story to today's event, I would like to pose this question: Have we also taken our natural environment for granted just as the boy had taken the tree for granted?

3 Like the tree in the story, nature has been unconditionally providing for our every need such as life-giving oxygen and food. Take the coconut tree - every single part of it is useful to us. From the fruit, we quench our thirst; the trunk is used to make wooden bridges; the leaves are used to make the case for "ketupat" and "otah". Even the husk of the fruit is used to make brooms.

4 The coconut's example is replicated throughout nature. A delicate ecosystem exists to support life. If we are to ensure that we will always be able to enjoy nature's gift to us, we must take care not to abuse it.

5 It is not left to the government nor any other agency to ensure that Singapore's natural environment is preserved and maintained. We each play a role in the conservation of the environment. We must work together to protect our natural heritage. Hence, I am pleased to announce that the NorthEast Community Development Council, the National Parks Board and the various schools and community groups in the NorthEast district are collaborating to enhance environmental awareness in the district.

6 The NorthEast CDC introduced its NorthEast Green Group in July this year as part of its NorthEast Green Connection programme. This programme strengthens community ties by fostering a sense of co-operation and instilling feelings of pride and stewardship in the people who live here. In this way, we build a sense of individual empowerment by creating an ownership of the environment.

7 To date, over three hundred people have signed up to participate in the group's activities and volunteered for its programmes. Through the NorthEast Green Group's efforts, the community has learned that they can make a difference to the health of their community and the environment. The NorthEast Green Group conducts regular tours of the mangrove swamps and organises beach and river clean-ups. The Green Group is also actively working with schools to start vegetable and fruit gardens in the schools or at parks.

8 I urge more community groups and schools to sign up for the NorthEast Green Connection's activities and start their own Green Groups to champion environmental issues in the NorthEast district and Singapore.

9 Another project, which I am pleased to announce, is Pasir Ris Park's first Spice Garden. Through the guidance of the National Parks Board, the NorthEast Green Group and Greenview Secondary School have worked together to create this garden. This project is part of the National Parks Board's on-going Adopt-a-Park scheme¹.

, which provides excellent opportunities for the students to observe, participate, learn, and enjoy a changing, complex environment.

11 For the students, the Spice Garden is a place to learn about the environment as a whole interconnected series of ecological relationships; and avails them of an opportunity for hands-on learning about the conservation of the environment.

12 The Spice Garden is also where students of Greenview Secondary can interact with members of the community to work together on ensuring that the environment is protected and preserved for Singapore's future.

13 In closing, I wish to congratulate all the parties involved in the success of the NorthEast Green Connection and the creation and adoption of the Spice Garden at Pasir Ris Park.

¹ This scheme has grown from its humble beginnings in February 1997. Today there are one hundred and twenty-five schools, community groups, hospitals, childcare centres and corporate organisations participating in the scheme. The scheme has been successful in helping to instil awareness of nature, ownership of parks, and promoting community bonding.