NATURE RESERVES (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

The Minister for National Development (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The Government has decided to amend the Nature Reserves Act to improve the management of our nature reserves.

Under the existing Act, powers of enforcement can only be granted to officers or servants of the Nature Reserves Board. Being a trustee board, there is no staff in the employment of the Board. Hence, there is a need to provide for delegation of enforcement powers to other authorized persons such as rangers of the Parks and Recreation Department who are helping the Nature Reserves Board to enforce the Act. The Public Utilities Board has also agreed to assist in enforcing the Act within the water catchment areas.

The penalty under the Act ranges from a fine of not less than $100 to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both. It is now proposed in the Bill before the House that the maximum fine be raised to $2,000, the minimum fine be removed and the Nature Reserves Board be given power to compound any offence up to a sum of $400. These changes would bring the Nature Reserves Act in line with the Parks and Trees Act. Having the power to compound fines will enable the Nature Reserves Board to deal swiftly and effectively with minor offences such as littering, collecting of plants and butterflies and lighting of fires in the nature reserve areas.

Due to various developments over the years, such as the expansion of the reservoirs, construction of the zoo, expressways and other installations, minor changes to the boundaries of the nature reserves have to be made from time to time. Under the present Act, only Parliament, by resolution, may amend the Schedule of the Nature Reserves Act. By giving the Minister the power to amend the schedule, the process will be made easier and changes to the area of the nature reserves can be documented and regularized quickly. Parliament of course will be kept informed of these changes.

Currently, the Act has no provision for the Nature Reserves Board to accept public donations to fund its activities. All administrative and technical support are provided by the Parks and Recreation Department and development projects funded by the Government through the Parks and Recreation Department's budget. The Bill proposes to establish a Nature Reserves Fund so that private individuals as well as companies can contribute to the financing of the operation of the Nature Reserves Board. The fund will be used for the purpose of administering and maintaining the nature reserves, providing facilities and services to the public in relation of the nature reserves and encouraging the study and research into the fauna and flora of Singapore.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr S. Dhanabalan].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.