Singapore leps

[Mark Walker]

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	SK Khew [SMTP:khewsk at hotmail.com]
> Sent:	Saturday, August 29, 1998 1:38 AM
> To:	leps-l at lists.yale.edu; MWalker at mailhost
> Subject:	RE: Singapore leps
> 
> Hi Mark,
> 
> I suppose I agree with you in a way, but if you realise how small 
> Singapore is, and how much nature reserves there are left on our little 
> island, then you have a picture of why the government is taking such a 
> hard stand on the issue of collecting.  
> Singapore island is only 42 km from east to west and 23 km from north to 
> south, making a total area of about 648 sq km.  Heck, a typical marathon 
> run will take you right across our little island, and you could end up 
> in the sea by then!  :-)
> Conservation IS a serious matter for such a small island.  
> 
> 
	I do appreciate this sensible argument, and I do agree that the size
of the island does make a difference.  I enjoyed touring Singapore back in
1980, and at that time, as small as the island was, there were still many
suitable butterfly habitats (including the gardens in and about the city
itself) that would sustain the most common of species.  Migrations from the
Malay Peninsula occur as well, do they not?  As for the limited size of
nature reserves and the whole issue of conservation in general, this IS a
most important issue for Singapore and clearly one that should be respected
by all.  If there is truly no butterfly fauna in Singapore outside of the
nature preserves, and precious little of this habitat remaining, then I am
the first to put my net away while visiting Singapore.  If, on the other
hand, there remain at least a half dozen species which are perfectly happy
and thriving and in no danger of being eliminated, I can't see why it
wouldn't be acceptable for someone to collect and preserve a specimen or
two.

	Thank you for your insight, however.  You certainly are more
vulnerable to vanishing habitat, seeing as how you have so little of ANY
habitat to start with.  We may, in fact, be able to learn a lot from how you
handle this issue.  The right solution would guarantee sustainable
populations of all species, thereby securing the privilege of amateur
collectors such as myself to visit, study, and admire your insects, both
alive and preserved.

	Mark Walker.