Ghim Moh showcases gardens in the sky

Experiment in draping plants over HDB balconies may be extended islandwide under Clean and Green Week initiative

THE greening of Singapore is poised to spread skywards in high-rise Housing Board blocks if a pilot project is successful.

A cascading effect is created by plants hanging over balconies in this Ghim Moh block. If this pilot project proves popular, it will be adopted in other public housing estates in Singapore.

Under a trial programme launched as part of this year's Clean and Green Week on Sunday, two blocks in Ghim Moh became the first to undergo 'vertical greening'.

Plants were draped from the balconies of each floor of the flats, creating a vertical carpet of green.

Others stood in pots against the parapets of corridors to create a garden atmosphere.

Other public estates will also do this if the Ghim Moh experiment proves popular.

Over 240,000 people are involved in this year's Clean and Green Week, an annual event launched by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in 1990.

Tree-planting has always been a traditional event and, this year, residents of 20 constituencies will plant 773 trees at about 50 sites, with some help from the National Parks Board (NParks).

There will also be 20 guided nature walks within constituencies and 25 guided nature walks in Pulau Ubin, Sungei Buloh Nature Park and the nature reserves. NParks staff, together with volunteer guides, will lead these tours.

Eight parks will be adopted under NParks' Adopt-A-Park scheme this year.

Doing the honours at the innovative "vertical greening" are Mr David Lim (left), Minister of State for Defence and Information and the Arts, and new MP Vivian Balakrishnan.--LIANHE ZAOBAO

The Singapore Environmental Council will also hold the Singapore Environmental Achievement Award ceremony, now in its fourth year, in conjunction with Clean and Green Week.

The award aims to recognise local organisations that have demonstrated environmental excellence through their operations, processes and practices.

Mr Lim Swee Say, Acting Minister for the Environment, will give out the awards on Thursday. The winner will be chosen from two finalists - Eagle Services Asia and Singapore Polytechnic.

Singapore Lions will also set up a green bazaar which will encourage people to re-use and recycle.

Together with the Environment Ministry, the group will set up its tables in the foyer of the ministry building on Friday, where the public can buy used toys, books and other goodies.

The Lions will also be organising a Cyclethon Trail 'Back to Nature' Activity Day on Pulau Ubin on Nov 18.