Meet the sustainability champion steering Mandai's upcoming eco-tourism hub
No one could be accused of hyperbole for maxim that COVID-xix has decimated the tourism industry. According to data released by the World Tourism Arrangement (UNWTO), in that location was a Us$320 billion (South$434 billion) loss in international tourism receipts betwixt January and May, putting more than 100 million direct tourism jobs at gamble.
Yet, widely circulated images of limpid waters and wildlife traversing typically overcrowded and polluted tourist hotspots amongst lockdowns are a visceral reminder of tourism's negative environmental impacts.
Months into the crisis, as airlines and airports push for lifted travel restrictions to kick-commencement the sector's recovery, the question remains as to whether information technology can be reimagined into one that is more than sustainable.
Dr Lee Hui Mien, vice president and team pb of sustainable solutions at Temasek-owned Mandai Park Development (MPD) – which is developing a rambling 26ha eco-tourism hub in northern Singapore – seems to call up this is feasible. Sloughing off the condition quo of excess, she says, starts from a reduction in our material footprint.
"It'due south actually about how we consider the quality of offerings. What if we had a system of reusability that required less resource merely still delivers the same value? With COVID-19, sanitising technologies have been commoditised... How do y'all then employ that to something like a poncho rental system for travellers?" she asked rhetorically.
The erstwhile enquiry scientist is conspicuously a proponent of the circular economy, whereby resource are utilised for as long equally possible.
"I myself bargain with the guilt of throwing away disposable stuff when I travel. I think those (production life cycles) are interesting things to think about. They say these are unprecedented times, so information technology is also fourth dimension to try out unprecedented things," she added.
"They say these are unprecedented times, and so it is too time to try out unprecedented things." – Dr Lee Hui Mien
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Fine art OF NEGOTIATION
Dr Lee, an electrical and electronic engineering graduate who holds a PhD in sustainable product development, has achieved superlatives such every bit co-developing the first eyewear frame made almost entirely of recycled materials.
At the heels of a prolific research career, she joined the private sector as IKEA'south Head of Sustainability in 2022 – a move that allowed her to witness the intersection of profitability and sustainability.
"Commercialisation and sustainability can go manus-in-hand, it depends on how we pitch this (to stakeholders) and abound a business based on sound ecology and social fundamentals. Profit gives us the resources to pursue sustainability," she asserted.
It is this canny ability to residue ecology interests with that of stakeholders' that has bolstered her cachet. Since joining MPD in 2017, she has been credited for contributing to the opening of a forested wild animals bridge across Mandai Lake Road.
The Mandai Precinct hugs the Cardinal Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), an expanse bristling with a rich biodiversity of animal species, including the critically endangered Raffles' Banded Langur.
Other progressive initiatives implemented under MPD's sustainability strategy include allocating Due south$600,000 in funding to ecology enquiry projects, as well as deploying mandatory biodiversity training for all construction labourers working on the new development.
This raft of measures evince the sustainability professional's engagement skills. The challenge, she says, lies in enjoining internal stakeholders to enter a consensus on various issues, such as proper waste matter management.
"The question is how we can push button things as far as possible inside the limited time and resources. Information technology is a procedure of negotiation and bringing people to a mutual betoken," she explained.
"Commercialisation and sustainability can go mitt-in-hand… Profit gives united states the resource to pursue sustainability." – Dr Lee Hui Mien
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MAKING THE Example FOR ECO-TOURISM
For now, MPD's eco-tourism hub is on runway to be completed by 2024. The sylvan swathe of land will encompass – along with the Singapore Zoo, the River Safari and the Night Safari – a new Bird Park (set to open in 2022), Rainforest Park, and eco-resort operated past luxury resort concatenation Banyan Tree Holdings.
Though nature groups take raised concerns over deforestation that volition take identify to make way for the evolution, Dr Lee argues that it is important to take more than a facile agreement of the project's context and denouement.
For instance, part of the new hub will sit on degraded land one time occupied by an orchid garden, while a 10-year Mandai Ecological Reforestation Plan covering protected areas adjacent to the CCNR is in place.
She also points to the opportunity cost of non furthering eco-tourism in urbanised Singapore.
"I retrieve information technology is hard for everyday Singaporeans to empathise the bear upon their choices have on wild animals, such equally how opting for sustainable palm oil tin mitigate the destruction of Orang Utan habitats. I see bringing the topic of conservation closer to people as something positive," she said.
Only tin can responsible tourism be scaled up in Singapore, given its highly competitive market?
According to Dr Lee, a handshake between Singapore's various tourism operators, the authorities and the public is required. She also believes that regardless of its size, the land has the propensity to become a regional leader in responsible tourism driving consumer demand for more than sustainable products and experiences.
And her vision of positioning Singapore every bit a yardstick for sustainable business concern practices doesn't seem far off the mark.
"Southeast Asia is a very interesting market place that's growing in abundance. There are lots of opportunities where our local industry tin can build competence and help others overseas to practise business concern more responsibly. I retrieve there's a lot of potential in that, considering of our geographical location and wealth of knowledge," she ended.
"I think it is hard for everyday Singaporeans to understand the impact their choices take on wildlife… I see bringing the topic of conservation closer to people every bit something positive." – Dr Lee Hui Mien
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/people/dr-lee-hui-mien-mandai-park-development-singapore-247486
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