Annual tree planting day breaks new ground with mangroves on platforms

SINGAPORE — To improve water quality, trees were planted in Punggol Reservoir yesterday — the first time in Singapore that trees have been placed directly in water during the annual tree planting activities.

A total of nine tropical mangrove trees were planted, and their roots will help to filter pollutants and absorb excess nutrients. This increases the clarity and quality of the water, similar to the Sengkang floating wetland. Mangroves also provide a habitat for wetland birds.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and several Members of Parliament helped to plant the trees on floating platforms in the reservoir. The idea was inspired by a floating forest in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Over time, the trees will be pruned so they do not exceed the floating platform’s capacity. And their current position will not be permanent. “This is a modular system where you can actually, like a jigsaw puzzle, put it in different configurations,” said MP (Sengkang West) Lam Pin Min.

“The intention is to put a three-by-three configuration and we’re actually discussing with PUB to see whether we can locate it near to the floating wetland, where people can actually view it as they walk across the bridge.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA