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| HIGHLIGHTS |
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| SINGAPORE |
Thieves snare rare tortoises
For the second time in its history, thieves have broken into the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum in Singapore and made off with its rare exhibits. This time, tortoises taken were worth S$75,000.
"Three endangered Radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) – one of the rarest in the world– and seven Indian star tortoises were stolen," summed up owner Danny Tan, who set up the museum to educate the public. It is not known how the thieves will sell their bounty. Trading in radiated tortoises is illegal and Indian star tortoises are banned as pets in Singapore. Police are investigating. |
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Asia on the Edge
ASIAN Geographic was part of an inaugural nine-day festival celebrating the Asian identity, held late last year at the Empress Place in Singapore.
"Asia on the Edge" combined the intellect, lifestyle, culture and arts of Asia into an exciting platform to share Asian experiences and visions with the world. Jointly organised by The Arts House and Pico Art International, it was the first time such an event was held in the region. It boasted 105 personalities from 12 Asian countries in 50 events.
As the official publication for this event, ASIAN Geographic held the "Asia Without Borders" exhibition, where a selection of winning photographs capturing Asia was showcased at The Arts House. |
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Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2009 Awarded
Dutch environmental technology professor Gatze Lettinga has been awarded this year’s Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for his environmentally sustainable solution for the treatment of used water.
Professor Lettinga, from Wageningen Agricultural University in the Netherlands, pioneered the anaerobic technology called Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB). This uses micro-organisms in an oxygen-free environment to remove pollutants in used water. UASB technology is said to use 30 to 40 percent less energy and methane that is produced in the process is reused as fuel.
Professor Lettinga says, "I feel deeply honoured to receive this award. The Water Prize bears the name Lee Kuan Yew, the impressive and inspiring first Prime Minister of Singapore." He has chosen not to patent this invention so that it “can be made available to everybody.”
Professor Letingga will receive a total of S$300,000, award certificate and a gold medallion at the Istana –the official residence and office of Singapore’s President – on 24 June during the second Singapore International Water Week.
Singapore has adopted some elements of the anaerobic technology to reduce the energy costs of treating used water, which is further purified into NEWater. |
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| CHINA |
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Drought deprives millions of drinking water
Approximately 4.4 million people and 2.1 million cattle were starved of drinking water as severe drought hit northern China in early February.
The Ministry of Finance has disbursed at least 86.7 billion yuan (US$12.7 billion) in subsidies to assist farmers with grain production and minimise the impact on rural incomes.
Provincial governments were ordered to deliver money to farmers in the worst hit areas within a month. This served to prevent social unrest, as millions of migrant workers were recently retrenched from their urban jobs and have returned to the countryside.
China's official media described the drought as North China's worst in half a century. Meteorological officials said that rainfall in the coming weeks would help ease the crisis.
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| INDIA |
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The Ganges gets too salty?
The low-lying areas of eastern India are in danger from rising sea levels. This is causing saltwater to flow into India’s biggest river and threaten its ecosystems.
In some parts of the Bay of Bengal, sea levels are rising at 3.14 millimetres per year – against the global average of 2 millimetres – in a phenomenon known as "extension of salt wedge".
"It will salinate the groundwater of Kolkata and turn agricultural lands barren in adjoining rural belts," warns Pranabes Sanyal, the Eastern India representative of the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA).
Rising sea levels in India are part of the larger global warming problem. Climate experts warn that with temperatures rising, India can and will be hit with more frequent and severe natural disasters such as floods and storms.
However, the state government of West Bengal, to which Kolkata belongs, thinks there is no cause for immediate concern. |
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| JAPAN |
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“Toilet Poems” to save toilet paper
Toilet paper use in public lavatories has been on the rise in Japan. In its public campaign, "toilet poems" are stuck at eye level on the walls of cubicles to reduce excessive use of toilet paper.
According to Japan Toilet Labo, a research centre in Japan, poems in toilet cubicles can save toilet paper. Patrons can now look forward to reading verses like “that paper will meet you only for a moment” and “love the toilet”. While seen as a laughable approach, preliminary research shows that it can cut toilet paper use by 20 percent. |
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| TAIWAN |
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Taiwan’s coral reefs turning black
Coral reefs off the southeast coast of Taiwan are in poor health, darkening with disease.
Taiwan researchers have not narrowed down the underlying cause, but untreated sewage is the major suspect. The limited documentation of coral conditions has added to the difficulty of this investigation.
"This (blackening of coral) covers a large area and we’ve had no previous information," said Chen Chao-lun of Taiwan’s state-funded Academia Sinica, the national academy that supports research activities in a wide variety of disciplines.
Researchers plan to check on other offshore coral reefs. |
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