Grow a deeper appreciation of our Gardens’ lush history

The report “UNESCO bid dossier a labour of love since 2010” (July 6) provided a glimpse into the efforts of countless individuals and organisations to enshrine our Botanic Gardens as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization heritage site.

We should rightly recognise the unsung heroes who gave added significance to our Botanic Gardens. It being the first botanical gardens in Asia to be coined a world heritage site augments our national identity and tourism prospects.

Beyond crediting those mentioned in the report, the bid process and its success involved other individuals who gave their all, be it by poring through historical resources or spending hours in assiduous discussion to piece together a cogent, credible proposal.

It was an opportunity for government bodies such as the National Parks Board to work with non-governmental organisations such as the Nature Society (Singapore) and further lay the ground for future collaboration.

The endeavour also allowed for a revisiting of our history. Anecdotes about the Botanic Gardens, such as the fact that it was a satellite of the 1759 Kew Gardens, were dug out and resurfaced. This enables us to stay rooted in our history, which may be relatively short but can be intriguing.

This jubilee year, it is especially germane and apt for Singaporeans to delve into the past to develop a deeper understanding of the Gardens, beyond its existing significance as a haven for biodiversity and weekend walks.

With it will come a deeper appreciation for utilising any and every available resource to maintain the condition of the Gardens, while continually adding new attractions. And that our bid was buttressed by the Gardens’ history symbolises the emphasis we place on revisiting our history.

To conclude, we should not let the hard work of all the individuals involved go to waste by perceiving this merely as another feather in our cap. Let us make the effort to understand the historical significance of the Gardens and its biodiversity. This then accentuates the appreciation of our success.