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  The Straits Times 5 Jan 07
Don't neglect the green, green grass of home
Ho Hua Chew

IT IS a little-known fact that Singapore has its own version of the countryside. As we venture into a new year, it is timely to revisit the vast green swathes that surround our concrete jungle, and consider the role these verdant areas can play in fostering a sense of nationhood in the 21st century.

What countryside, you may ask? This is a topic I have written about in the past - in this space in December 2004, and in the Review section last October.

The island is covered with open land that is neither nature in its wild state (as in nature reserves) or nature manicured into public parks. These are open spaces with lots of flora and fauna.

Venture into disused tracts of green in areas such as in Lim Chu Kang, Choa Chu Kang, Kranji, Tampines, Upper Thomson, Sembawang or Bukit Batok, and your usual outlook of Singapore's landscape, I assure you, will be blown away.

The value of this forgotten countryside should not be assessed solely in economic terms associated with direct financial returns, the so-called bottom line. A sense of economic well-being is, of course, pretty important for any willingness to sink an anchor in any country.

But a sense of home and rootedness to a country comes also with pride in having a pleasant and loving relationship with the land in all its earthy manifestations. This is where Singapore's countryside has a significant role to play in fostering nationhood.

So what are the values that are embedded in the Singapore countryside that will engender and deepen a sense of nationhood?

Aesthetics: The countryside, with its natural greenery, is beautiful, providing delightful sceneries that are a contrast to the concrete jungle. There are many natural woodlands, green-covered hills, natural flowing streams, rivers and ponds around the island. The landscapes, unlike what you have in many public parks, are not flattened, uniform or monotonous. And unlike the nature reserves with their thick rainforests or mangrove, they have a refreshing open ambience, allowing for lovely panoramic views of the green landscapes.

Recreational: The potential for robust recreational activities in a natural setting and backdrop is immense - cross-country hiking, cycling, jogging, camping and fishing are examples. Trails can be created linking nooks and crannies of the countryside with camping areas. Small clusters of chalets and eateries or sea-food restaurants can be established around strategic points of our coastline that are accessible by the old country roads to cater to the notorious Singaporean pastime - eating, but in a sylvan or natural coastal setting. But these should offer more than the cluttered food centres in East Coast Park and Pasir Ris. The essence is peace and quiet to enjoy a pleasant meal after a good hike or a cycling, driving or fishing trip. Many such eateries existed in the old days in isolated bungalows along our coastline but, alas, are now nothing but a dream recollected in tranquillity.

Cultural: There are existing farmlands that are still in operation in our countryside, but more can be opened up for small-scale farming of various types. But too-intense use of land for farming, where every inch of ground is tilled without any shrubs or trees being spared, will ruin the beauty of the countryside - as can be seen at the Tengah and Peng Siang farmlands. Organic farming of crops, fruits and flowers would be more appropriate for Singapore's countryside - as at Bollywood Veggies and Green Circle farms.

Also worth considering is reviving some of the abandoned farmlands and orchards. After all, there are still many tracts of durian and rambutan orchards, aqua-culture ponds and rubber plantations, standing intact in various parts of the countryside, somewhat overwhelmed by wild vegetation. It may be possible to revive these farms on a small scale where feasible - tapping the expertise of old-timers who were once engaged in such rural pursuits but are now living out their twilight years in the Housing Board heartland.

With the revival of rural activities, the countryside can come to life and become more interesting, lending a cultural dimension to outdoor recreation here. With farmstays and specialised tours, younger Singaporeans today can get a taste of life in a more rural, agricultural setting.

Therapeutic: Apart from other psychological values, the sense of openness and space that the countryside provides are its most valuable qualities. It can liberate us from the cooped-up mentality engendered by living in the city and HDB estates, where the lack of easy access to a green hinterland can lead to overpowering psychological claustrophobia. This has contributed to many Singaporeans' yearning for greener pastures elsewhere.

The irony is that we still have a sizeable countryside that is undiscovered and unappreciated. This green hinterland may be small in scale, but has its own peculiar beauty and charm. Singaporeans should be encouraged to venture into this forgotten countryside.

Biodiversity: The biodiversity value of the countryside is enormous. It harbours a rich variety of wildlife that are not found or adaptable to our nature reserves and public parks, such as the black-winged kite, baya weavers, lesser coucal, red-wattled lapwing and long-tailed shrike. For plants, there are wild orchids such as Dendrobrium lobii and Liparis ferruginea. The countryside woodlands also provide extra foraging grounds for some forest species in the nature reserves such as the changeable and crested serpent eagle, as well as havens for migratory bird species. They are also indispensable stepping stones and corridors for colonisation from the north across the Strait of Johor. While some of the countryside lies open, other areas are not so accessible to the public.

With such a vast resource on our doorstep, it is a pity that Singapore has not done more to develop its untapped countryside. What is needed is an action plan to turn these disused lands into oases of tranquillity for recreation and outdoor activities.

The cost of doing so need not be substantial: No major redevelopment is needed, just basic trails and rustic facilities, with low-key food and beverage options in strategic spots. The cost of tapping into Singapore's unsung countryside may be small, but the benefits can be enormous.

The writer chairs the Conservation Committee of the Nature Society. The opinions expressed here are his personal views.
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