Petites plantes

SINGAPORE: On the way to dinner one Sunday evening, this journalist spotted five hornbills flitting across a road junction to rest in some trees - as much a part of the city landscape as the [email protected] Square mall behind them and the lanes of traffic below. In the housing estate just across from the mall, oriental pied hornbills preening their black-and-white plumage and chomping on fruit with their curved bills are a regular sight. The large bird with a distinctive casque on its beak is hard to miss but for nearly a century, they were a rare sight in Singapore. They vanished from Singapore in the late 19th century and the first recorded return of wild oriental pied hornbills was on Pulau Ubin in 1994. Dr Ho Hua Chew, a long-time conservationist, was among the Nature Society Singapore (NSS) members who spotted the birds back then. "The bird is a spectacular species and being regarded as extinct in Singapore up to that date, it was a thrilling experience to see a comeback … [Read more...] about IN FOCUS: How urbanised Singapore is learning to live with its wildlife

CHAMOLI, India: Long before this month's deadly flash flood in a remote Indian Himalayan valley, Kundan Singh Rana knew that all the construction work in the fragile region would one day mean disaster. "The rivers, mountains and trees are like our gods and any sacrilege will have consequences," Rana told AFP in his village, overlooking the hydroelectric project that was obliterated by what was believed to be a glacier collapse on Feb 7. "The Rishi Ganga river and our mountains have been scarred beyond repair by human greed. This flood is God's retribution," the 43-year-old farmer said. Scientists may not share his belief in divine punishment, but they agree that the blame for this latest disaster which killed 60 people and left 150 others missing lies largely with human activity. The anthropogenic impact includes the shrinking of glaciers in the Himalayas, one of the regions hardest hit by global warming. READ: Can Ganga be saved? What must be done to clean up India’s … [Read more...] about India’s glacier disaster highlights Himalayan dangers

Whether you’ve been together 10 weeks or 20 years, there should always be an excuse to escape the humdrum of the everyday, and enjoy a night out with a good meal and the company of your significant other. Our list of romantic restaurants run the gamut from casual trattorias by the water to feted fine diners with breathtaking city views. MAGGIE JOAN’S DINING & BAR This petit back-lane gem possesses an ambience that romantic food lovers crave but rarely encounter. The dimly lit dining room is charmingly flanked by exposed brick walls, an industrial-chic open kitchen, and vintage-inspired furnishings that meld old and new with effortless style. With newly minted Group Executive Chef Seumas Smith at the helm, the food is elegant yet hearty, and beautifully presented. Order a la carte to share, or opt for the S$88 chef’s tasting menu. 110 Amoy Street, #01-01. www.maggiejoans.com ESORA The resplendent brushed-wood dining room is enough to make guests … [Read more...] about 10 best date night restaurants in Singapore: From back lanes to garden domes

BANGKOK: The air that sweeps gently through the rows of vines in the GranMonte estate is cool. In the middle of winter here, on the flank of Khao Yai National Park, the temperature drops and grapes can flourish. The vineyard, northeast of Bangkok, is rimmed by mountains, giving this elevated valley shelter from damaging weather. It is a combination of good fortune and good planning that has helped winemaker and oenologist Nikki Lohitnavy transform this once cashew plantation into one of the region’s most sophisticated wine operations. “We have a cool, dry winter and this part of Thailand has cold air that comes through from China and Vietnam. It’s a nice location to be growing grapes,” she said. It is not just the location that has lifted GranMonte to be one of Thailand’s most prominent vineyards, producing about 100,000 bottles of wine a year. Given the challenging climate, Nikki has tapped on advanced climate technologies and monitoring to get the best out of her plantations. … [Read more...] about Adapting to climate change: How Thailand’s tropical wines are teaching the old world new tricks

SINGAPORE: In late October, drone footage of Clementi Forest went viral, and many came to learn of and appreciate its wild beauty. But after learning that the land had been earmarked for residential development, some netizens have called for its preservation, shining a spotlight on the dilemma of conserving forests in land-scarce Singapore. A petition to protect Clementi Forest on Change.org has amassed over 10,000 signatures since its launch on Oct 26. In response to queries, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said on Nov 30 that while Clementi Forest is classified as "Residential (Subjected to Detailed Planning)", there are no immediate plans for development yet. Apart from providing visually stunning landscapes, preserving densely vegetated areas has many practical benefits. They help mitigate the effects of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing urban heat and preventing floods. Sizable forests also act as wildlife corridors that … [Read more...] about Commentary: Save forests or build 4-rooms? It’s not a zero-sum game