PROTECTING AND PRESERVING THE ECOSYSTEM AT PULAU SEMAKAU

As part of its annual clean and green effort, the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) Naval Diving Unit (NDU) initiated Project ECO-FROG - Pulau Semakau this year to protect and preserve the ecosystem on the island.

On 30 Oct, over 100 personnel from NDU, with sea transport support from the RSN's 191 Fast Craft Squadron, participated in the cooperative effort where they were divided into two different groups - with diving teams working to clean up the island's seabed and shore teams focusing on the beach front.

Traditionally, since 1997, NDU had focused its annual clean and green efforts on neighbouring Pulau Hantu.

"After our success over the years at Pulau Hantu, it was great to be able to refocus our efforts where they were needed more and contribute to the preservation of Pulau Semakau's natural environment," explained Staff Sergeant Heng Seow Yong, the organising secretary for Project ECO-FROG.

"This project is also in line with NDU's policy of corporate social responsibility, which empowers us to give back to society as a responsible corporate citizen, and, in this case, playing a vital role in environmental conservation."

"Ultimately, protecting Singapore's marine ecosystem is a collective effort, and we are hoping that Project ECO-FROG will help to raise public awareness of the importance of environmental protection and conservation, as well as encourage more people to do their part," he added.

Within one morning, almost 100 bags of rubbish were collected from Pulau Semakau's seabed and the beach front, with a combined weight of almost half a tonne.

This effort was welcomed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and WildSingapore.com. Project ECO-FROG coincided with the start of Singapore's three-day Clean and Green Campaign launched at the Hort Park on the same day.