Dec 13, 2022
- Sustainability
- Feature Story
- Panasonic GREEN IMPACT
- India, Middle East and Africa
Hi everyone! This is Fizzah writing from Singapore. In a city state like Singapore where high-rise concrete buildings are common sight, who would have imagined themselves trudging in mangrove forests? I guess not!
"Panasonic ECO RELAY" activities began as an employee proposal that Panasonic members should connect one another through eco actions. Since 1998, Panasonic has promoted the activities aimed at encouraging its employees and their families to raise environmental awareness through their positive environmental actions in home and local communities, and improving their lifestyles. This series features various "ECO RELAY activities" reported by members of Panasonic.
Let's put on our mud-proof boots and gloves just like real-life researchers and explore Pasir Ris Park! Oh, don't forget to spray some mosquito repellent on yourself! I'm sure you don't want to be lunch for those pesky blood suckers!
- Behind the Project, Panasonic's ECO Relay Committee
- Pre-briefing Before Getting Down and Dirty at Pasir Ris Park
Off We Go to Pasir Ris Park
- Pasir Ris Park
Mangroves used to occupy 13% of Singapore's total land area. With rapid urbanization, only 0.5% of the original mangrove forests remain today.
Pasir Ris Park is located all the way at the eastern end of the little red dot. The 6 hectare mangrove forest is one of Singapore's few mangrove sites. It is home to a rich, thriving variety of unique plants, and animals such as snails and mudskippers.
- Mudskipper
- A Large Spider
- Snails
Having Fun at the Mangrove Forest with Panasonic!
Panasonic Asia Pacific and Singapore's National Parks Board (NParks) embarked on a first mangrove biodiversity monitoring initiative at Pasir Ris Park to collect valuable information to aid in the long-term conservation and management of Singapore's mangrove forest.
Commenced in March 2012, 16 biodiversity monitoring sessions will be conducted over a two year period.
This project reaffirms Panasonic's commitment to create greater awareness and further environmental causes as its employees and children assist NParks' researchers in the monitoring sessions. 65 Panasonic employees and their 40 children participated!
"Panasonic is involved in comprehensive environmental preservation though various biodiversity conservation projects globally. This monitoring initiative at Pasir Ris mangrove forest is part of the broader Panasonic Conservation Programme. It serves as a good opportunity for employees and their children to better appreciate nature and preserve the environment," commented Mr. Low Beng Huat, General Manager, Environment & External Affairs Group.
Children as young as 10 years old are involved in actual hands on research! They helped monitor and collect data of the mangrove trees, snails and mudskippers. The mangrove forest is like a 'green' outdoor classroom!
- Young Members of the Mangrove Adventurers Group
- Never Too Young for Some Simple Gardening
- Kids Sifting Through the Muddy Soil for Snails
Some Thoughts...
Wong Ao Shen, 11, "I would return to Pasir Ris Park again because it was a very meaningful Saturday and I like to spend my weekends far away from books."
Victor Ho, 49, "I have always been fascinated watching wild-life documentaries (National Geographic, Animal Planet, BBC, etc.) so the monitoring session presented an opportunity to study, watch and appreciate nature and its habitat at work."
Panasonic also sponsored S$15,000 in cash and kind to NParks' Garden City Fund to sustain conservation efforts, research, outreach and education.
