SINGAPORE: Since Channel NewsAsia's report last
month about mynahs being a public nuisance, viewers have given
feedback that Orchard Road is plagued by this problem as
well.
Mynahs residing in trees along Orchard Road can be
heard for more than an hour after the sun sets.
Orchard Road merchants said there could be a few
thousand mynahs.
The birds' droppings have left unsightly stains on pedestrian
walkways.
The Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) said it's exploring
ways to chase the mynahs away.
This included borrowing an eagle from the Singapore Wildlife
Reserve but this did not work out due to the large number of
mynahs.
They have also approached various government agencies for help, but
so far no concrete solution has been provided.
The National Environment Agency said that with the close proximity
between urban and natural areas, there will be such minor bird
nuisances.
In a written reply to a question in parliament on Monday whether
there will be a single agency to handle bird-related problems,
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian
Balakrishnan said that the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of
Singapore (AVA) would coordinate the work of all agencies involved
whenever problems caused by birds arise.
- CNA/ck
