Dear Friends,
OVERVIEW
“Tougher laws, more frequent engagements to complement Educational Efforts”
Almost everyday, we see at Kallang Riverside Park and in front of our premise people fishing nonchalantly and at free will. On occasions when we went on boat patrol to the Singapore River, we saw them there too. Freely they do it without worry and simply oblivious to the people around, and many are ‘regulars’. We picked up cigarette butts and boxes and litter in the park and in our waterways regularly.
Sights of littering and evidence of smoking in the parks are the major takeaways which Waterways Watch Society members encounter during our patrols and at our educational programmes daily and on weekends. Yes, it may be seen as a repetitive report but it is a fact. It makes us wonder whether anything has been done thus far by the authorities.
Recent behavioural studies still show that many Singaporeans are indifferent, or who think it is not their job to clean. Singapore requires a total mindset change meeting this challenge and it has to be through education and constant persuasion.
The need for tougher laws and actions is long overdue. People are complacent and have got no regard for laws and regulations for a long time. Enforcement must be seen in order to rectify the situation. Our volunteers have used persuasion through talking and gentle encounters but it seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. Waterways Watch will continue to do our part conducting our programmes and patrols to educate our people but, we need complementary actions such as enforcement to make our concerted effort successful. We should have a ‘persuade-and-penalise’ approach to keep Singapore clean and safe.
Waterways Watch recently submitted a report to MSE on Recycling and we are encouraged by their positive reply.
In summary, the following activities were done for this week:
- We conducted 5 CSR and 3 VIA programmes which were attended by 220 participants and 86 participants respectively, and together they collected a total of 275 kg of litter. 2 Clean up activities (Kayak and Boat) were postponed due to inclement weather. The breakdown of the Clean up activities conducted were as follows:
- Bike Clean up – 1
- Boat Clean up – 3
- Kayak Clean up – 3
- Foot Clean up – 3
- This week a total of 126 members were involved for CSR/VIA programmes, talk, patrols, administration, housekeeping duties and training and, the total trash collected = 450 kg.
- Boat Patrol. A total of 5 Boat patrols were carried out; 2 at Marina, 1 at Punggol and 2 at Lakeside.
- Bike Patrol. A total of 3 Bike patrols were carried out; 1 each at Marina, Punggol and Lakeside.
- Foot Patrol. We conducted 1 Foot Patrol at Pang Sua.
- Kayak Patrol. We conducted 1 Kayak Patrol at Marina.
- Pedal boat Patrol. 3 Pedal Boat patrols were conducted at Marina.
- Physical Bike and Boat Clean Up Orientation for New Applicants. This was not conducted for new members at Marina.
- Boat Tour for Frontline workers. No boat tour was conducted for Frontliners.
ACTIVITIES AND REPORT
- Educational Programmes
- Volunteer Patrols & Activities
a. Marina
b. Punggol
c. Lakeside
d. Pang Sua Pond
e. Yishun Pond
