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putting
a price on ubin?
Here's a thought-provoking article. Should we, can we put a price on Ubin? Will this help conserve Ubin as our last unspoilt island? How much is natural heritage worth? By Lee Poh Onn The Straits Times, 23 Jan 05 The writer is a fellow at the Institute of South-east Asian Studies. Singapore must do even more to protect existing natural habitats. Singapore has a high level of biodiversity that have yet to be studied in detail. The IUCN estimates that at least 10 per cent of land areas should be set aside for nature conservation if biodiversity is to be protected. The Government's decision to set aside only 5 per cent of Singapore's land area (3,130ha) as nature areas lies short of IUCN's recommendation. And, only 3 per cent of these areas are protected by current legislation. Nature areas have intrinsic value, which can be given more weight by quantifying in dollar terms the benefits they afford. I urge local conservationists to now carry out some form of monetary valuation to persuade policymakers and the public that natural areas matter to our collective well-being. read the full report discuss the issue on the focus ubin forum some current responses (updated 24 Jan) " if more land is desired as nature reserves, the fight has to be about challenging the govt’s resource planning assumptions for economic growth rather than to argue over the worth of nature reserves". yoongf Siva discusses on habitatnews: economic valuation on environmental economics; getting the message across; what about EIAs?; who bears the burden of proof?; and no man is an island. Links "Nice view can boost flat's price by 15%" The Straits Times, 31 Dec 04 |