Here is our talk with R. Raghunathan, CEO, WWF-Singapore.

Can you tell us more about the one million tree project and how we can join as a volunteer? 
We are in close collaboration with the National Parks Board (NParks) to support and facilitate volunteer engagement in community initiatives such as the NParks’ One Million Trees movement. This includes helping with the Community Nursery, undertaking tree planting, and participating in invasive species eradication activities. Restoring, safeguarding, and managing our nature helps to build climate resilience and also helps to preserve our natural biodiversity. You can get involved in tree planting, propagation in community nurseries, invasive management, growth monitoring, and biodiversity surveys here.

Here is a video interview of Mr. R. Raghunathan (CEO, WWF-Singapore) and Mr. Joseph KH Koh (Chairman, Friends of Bukit Timah Forest) with Minister Desmond Lee about the One Million Trees movement and their contributions to the City in Nature initiative and to nature-based solutions for tackling climate change.

Earth hour was started by WWF as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney in 2007. This movement has engaged millions of people in the world to switch off their lights for an hour. Many people think about this movement is to save electricity but actually is a symbol of unity, hope, and power for our earth.

WWF-Singapore Introduced the ‘Singapore Kosong’ plan. Can you tell us more about the ‘Singapore Kosong ‘ Plan? How does it help to achieve a low carbon, climate-resilient Singapore?
The Singapore Kosong Plan, AKA the net-zero emissions plan, aims to help individuals, businesses and organizations, to work together in support of a net-zero emissions Singapore by 2050. The idea is to help people commit to take key climate actions as part of their everyday life that will help Singaporeans collectively progress towards a net-zero future. These climate actions could be simple things that people can commit to like traveling sustainably (taking public transport instead of taxis), eating sustainably (eating a more planet-friendly diet), using renewable energy (opting to use renewable sources of energy), etc. People can formulate their personal Kosong Plan on our digital platform, Earthhour.sg, which also provides suggestions on the climate actions that they can take.  

Any unique and special programme this year for ‘Earth Hour’ in Singapore as an impact of covid-19?
COVID-19 demonstrates the human and economic cost of our broken relationship with nature. As countries rebuild and develop strategies to prevent future health crises, there is a unique opportunity to highlight the critical role of nature in the path to recovery. We cannot miss this window to create systemic change as we rebuild through increased cooperation between businesses, civil society and the government.

Since the pandemic, WWF-Singapore’s Earth Hour has gone digital for the second year, including the ongoing Singapore Kosong Plan campaign. Besides that, on 27 March 2021 at 8.30 pm, Singapore saw a record of 744 locations across the nation switch their lights off as a symbolic gesture of their commitment to preserving our planet! We hope and believe that this is a step towards positive climate actions for a more sustainable future.

As the young generation is the future of our green plan, how does WWF-Singapore involve them?
In Singapore, we conduct school talks on Singapore’s key conservation issues, skills workshops on 21st-century skills for students and teachers, along with complimentary education resources and activities for both in school and at home. 

We run the Eco-Schools Programme, a UNESCO-recognized world-leading Environmental Education framework. This programme equips students with essential knowledge and skills to make changes within their campus.
Through Educator Development, we help guide teaching staff on integrating environmental education into their school curriculum and everyday teaching.

In Singapore, key projects are available for Eco-Schools, where students can work closely with us to establish a change in each school.
– Schools for Climate Action
– Change the way you think about Waste
– Change the way you think about Food

Projects are designed to align with MOE’s curriculum. There will be a dedicated WWF consultant to guide your students.
Please check this link for the WWF School Programme https://www.wwf.sg/edu/school/

Singapore has its unique animals like Raffles’ banded langur, Sunda pangolin, Lesser mousedeer, Leopard cat, Palm civet, and etc. Is there any programme by WWF-Singapore for those Animals?
We have an active programme that focuses on the conservation of critically endangered species. For e.g. we are currently working with WWF-Malaysia to facilitate Raffles’ Banded Langur research and awareness activities in Johor, Malaysia.
We have previously worked in collaboration with NParks to bring out the “Sayang List”: a summary of recovery programmes of 10 threatened species in Singapore.
http://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwfxnparks_the_sayang_list.pdf.
We also have in our pipeline, new activities in Singapore that will focus on coral restoration in the waters off Singapore.

If you like to become volunteer for WWF-Singapore, please Sign up to volunteer with WWF-Singapore

Photos and Videos are courtesy of WWF-Singapore

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Shore Pit Viper C. Purpureomaculatus was first coined by the original describer John E Gray in 1832 because of the purple spots on the particular specimen he was describing, although we now know that body pattern and coloration is variable in this species.


This is our ‘Nature talk’ with him.

Peter, can you let us know how you met ‘Blu’ and why did you name it ‘Blu’ ?
I first met “Blu” in December 2017, at Pasir Ris. However, I can’t confirm that she is the only viper in Pasir Ris Park (PRP) mangrove that has that bluish stripe.
I named it “Blu” because this viper has a bluish stripe on its flanks.
I gave this name for easy identification and reference. For example, we have a community here in Pasir Ris Park. When we meet each other, we exchange sightings. It’s easier to describe it if it has a name.

Is there many other type of shore pit viper that any other colour than blue?
Many other colour variations of shore-pit vipers were spotted in PRP, other than ‘Blu’ there are also “Olive” and “Rusty” but to-date I have not name all of them yet.

For the visitors to the park, what do they need to do if they encounter snake?
Important for park goers to be mindful when they are walking along the boardwalk of the mangrove. Sometimes the vipers may be resting on wires or the boardwalk. During the walk, please be aware of your surroundings, minimise the noise, and avoid looking at your handphone, as along the boardwalk you may see any wildlife animal or snake.
When you see the pit viper snake, remain calm, and try not disturb them. Most of the  pit vipers are not active during the day, as it is time for them to rest.
Sometimes, snakes may be in a dangerous position such as in the middle of boardwalk. It potentially may cause harm to humans as well as itself, so please kindly contact NParks or ACRES.
Otherwise, leave them alone and they will usually go away at night.

What is the dos and don’ts when visitors want to take photos of the snake?

 If you would like to take photos of the snake, especially for photographers, please capture the photos of what you see and make sure you keep a safe distance. Please do not disturb them by using sticks or by throwing something to the snake.
Some photographers have the habit of prodding snakes with sticks to get good photos. Please don’t do this.
You are stressing the snakes who are resting as well as denying fellow park photographers from shooting the snakes (because if you disturb them, they will move away).

Please note that all tips and advice are based on observations and not scientific studies.

We are trying to learn and understand our nature and wildlife and try not to disturb them.
“Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints!” Chief Si ahl

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