SINGAPORE: Singapore's commemoration of World Water
Day this year will see a record 25,000 people gathering at 15
locations islandwide in support of water this
Saturday.
10,000 of these participants will walk, cycle and
paddle across waterways, reservoirs and between ABC Waters (Active,
Beautiful, Clean Waters) sites with small blue
pails.
Symbolic of how people in developing countries have
to walk an average of six kilometres every day to fetch water, both
the distance and the pails serve as a reminder to conserve
water.
PUB, the national water agency, said that 20,000 people took part
in last year's activities and it aims to have a 20 per cent
increase in community participation this year.
Themed "Singapore Celebrates World Water Day: Active, Beautiful and
Clean Waters for All", activities on the day also include cleaning
up of water bodies, water monitoring, guided nature walks, and the
launch of learning trails.
National water agency PUB's 3P Network Director George Madhavan
says there's a growing awareness that water is a precious resource
in the community.
"Last year we had 100 partners, this year it's gone up to 125
partners. We also see more interest groups being formed to keep our
water ways clean and also to share the important message that water
is scarce," he said.
One of the things that will be launched at the event is an iPad
application that students can use to bring others on learning
trails at Lorong Halus Wetlands. Six new ABC Waters learning trails
that will also be launched on Saturday.
Adding to the festivities will also be some attempts to make it
into the Singapore Book of Records. Jurong Lake, for example, will
host Singapore's biggest-ever Mass Water Filtration Exercise.
Another attempt at the record books will be at Sengkang Floating
Wetland, where 300 Anderson Secondary School students will try to
build the largest floating raft made from recycled drink
cans.
Various other organisations will also be recognising World Water
Day.
Singapore Post, for example, has launched a "Reservoirs of
Singapore" stamp collection, profiling 10 different reservoirs in
Singapore. It features designs by Don Low of Urban Sketchers, a
local sketching interest group.
A glossy photo book of 17 ABC Waters sites, "Knowing Your ABCs",
will also be launched by the National Youth Achievement Award
(NYAA) and PUB.
PUB will also recognise winners of the Water Conservation Video
Competition 2010/2011, which saw primary school students creating
45-second videos of what water conservation means to them.
MacRitchie Reservoir will see the launch of the Learning Trail
Passport, a collection of learning trails at seven different ABC
Waters sites.
400 scouts from the Singapore Scout Association will also attend
the NEWater Scientist Programme at The NEWater Visitor centre on
Saturday. The programme will teach them how to install water saving
devices in their neighbours' homes to spread the water conservation
message to the community.
On March 24, cub scouts from the association will also qualify for
the NEWater Scientist Badge, as well as the Coca Cola Live
Positively Water Badge by attending the World Water Day Special
Water Badges Programme.
International World Water Day is held annually on March 22 to raise
awareness on the importance of caring for water and water
sustainability.
World Water Day in Singapore will kick off on March 24, with a 2km
morning walk for 3,000 participants from Gardens by the Bay to
Marina Barrage.
Simultaneously at Kolam Ayer ABC Waterfront, Minister for
Information, Communications and the Arts Dr Yaacob Ibrahim will
lead 80 kayakers and 50 dragonboaters on a 5km rowing expedition to
Marina Barrage.
100 runners from Team Fatbird and 100 cyclists from Joyriders
Singapore will also be travelling from various locations, before
ending their routes at Marina Barrage.
President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Minister for the Environment and
Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will launch Singapore's
celebration of the day at Marina Barrage, where the cyclists,
kayakers and dragon-boaters converge.
-CNA/ac