SINGAPORE — The People’s Association (PA) clarified today (Jan 8) that the 8,000 sky lanterns to be displayed at this year’s Chingay Parade are not meant to be released into the sky, following concerns of the possible environmental impact if the lanterns were released.

The lanterns, which will be featured as the highlight of the parade’s grand finale, are “performance props”, said the PA on Facebook. “They will not pose any environmental issue.”

The PA said the lanterns will be reused and exhibited at the PAssionArts Festival 2016 and community events such as National Day celebrations after Chingay 2016.

They will eventually be recycled and proceeds from the recycling will go to charity, said the association.

At least 10 concerned members of the public had left comments on PA’s Facebook page asking about its plans for the lanterns.

Facebook user Veerappan Swaminathan expressed fears that the lanterns, if released, would “affect marine and land animals adversely”. These comments were echoed by users such as Shirley Yong and Ria Tan. Others, such as Lai Chiu Yun, said there would be “no way of recovering [the] lanterns once ... released” and likened it to littering. The PA replied the users, saying that the lanterns would not be released.

The lightbulb-shaped lanterns, signed by Singaporeans, will highlight core values fostered by Singapore’s founding fathers, such as racial harmony, social cohesion and integrity.

Themed “Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore”, the annual Chingay Parade will be held on Feb 19 and 20 at the F1 Pit Building in the Marina Bay area. Featuring 8,000 performers and 50 parade contingents, it is set to be the biggest ever full-scale illuminated show in the parade’s 44-year history. ASHUTOSH RAVIKRISHNAN