Mr. Eric Gill, General Manager and CEO, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd;

Distinguished guests;

Ladies and gentlemen;

A very good morning to you.

A year ago, Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, announced that Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve and Labrador Nature Area would be designated as a Nature Reserve. It was a historical milestone for nature conservation as these two sites are the first nature areas to attain this status in post-Independence Singapore.

I have been told it was the birds that first drew attention to this wetland habitatwe are at today. For years, migratory shorebirds such as sandpipers and plovers made their annual journey to escape the cold winters of the Siberian tundra. Singapore, and in particular Sungei Buloh, is in the flight path of these birds. It is at Sungei Buloh that the birds take refuge to recuperate from their travels and prepare for the next leg of their journey. Some like the wetland reserve so much, that they stay here all winter.

Today, I am pleased to know that the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve will be recognised as a site of international importance for migratory birds. To mark this, Wetlands International will be presenting a certificate to NParks to acknowledge Sungei Buloh’s entry into the East Asian Australasian Shorebird Site Network. Sungei Buloh will join the ranks of other internationally sites recognised for the conservation of shorebirds, such as Australia’s Kakadu National Park, China’s Yellow River Delta, Philippines’ Olango Island and Japan’s Yatsu Tidal Flats. It is heartening to know that Singapore, despite being a small and urbanised city-state, too has a nature reserve that is acknowledged as a site of international importance.

Like the migratory shorebirds, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve has come a long way. Opened 9 years ago on 6 December 1993 by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, this wetland reserve has consistently put forward programmes reflecting its four objectives of promoting recreation, education, research and conservation. Sungei Buloh actively reaches out to the individuals, corporate organisations and schools, with the aim of bringing the community closer to nature. This in turn has fostered an appreciation for nature, which has built up significant support for the protection of this wetland reserve.

The Sungei Buloh volunteer programme was set up in 1993 to engage the public’s interest in nature appreciation and research work. This programme has since grown to today’s 50 active volunteers. These volunteers conduct nature programmes and lead guided tours. They help to instill awareness and to promote responsibility and care for the environment. Their dedication and contributions are indeed commendable.

In terms of corporate partnership, NParks is very fortunate to have found a friend in HSBC. HSBC has been an ardent sponsor and supporter of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve since 1993. In 1997, HSBC set up a Sungei Buloh Education Fund with an initial funding of $120,000. Another $100,000 was deposited into the Fund in 2001 to ensure the continuity of educational programmes for our children. However, HSBC’s support does not stop at monetary sponsorship. They have also been inculcating a sense of ownership and care of nature among its employees who have already adopted the Bukit Batok nature park with the children at the Singapore Children’s Society. HSBC is an excellent example of a corporate citizen committed to environmental care, and I wish more would emulate them.

Our schools are also actively involved in Sungei Buloh. Woodlands Secondary School was the first school to adopt Sungei Buloh under the Adopt-a-Park Scheme. Commonwealth Secondary School joined the programme last year when they adopted the Mangrove Boardwalk. And, last month, Hillgrove Secondary School adopted one of the ponds at the Visitor Centre. Through this Scheme, our children learn to care for and treasure the reserve.

The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve you see today is the result of these fruitful partnerships. Each member of the society brings along with him or her unique experience and abilities, contributing to the development of the reserve. Everyone also plays a part in caring and protecting our natural heritage because it is there for all to share. NParks has done an excellent job in encouraging and enabling people and organisations to do their part for the community. I certainly hope more members of the community would come on board.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary next year in December 2003. To commemorate this significant milestone, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and HSBC have jointly planned a yearlong programme of Countdown Activities culminating in the Anniversary.

Besides a series of monthly public talks, a yearlong nature journal and photography competition will be held. The winning entries of the competition will be published in a commemorative book to be launched during the Anniversary Celebrations in December 2003. In addition, you will have the opportunity to do your part for conservation by participating in the monthly mangrove-planting programme.

I look forward to the Anniversary Celebrations next year. It is now my pleasure to officially launch the Countdown to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve’s 10th Anniversary.

Thank you.

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