Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's vision of Singapore greenery

More than 50 years ago, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew believed that the image of Singapore would not be mixed with Third World countries just by simple means: planting more trees to cover the island nation.

>> Singapore: Journey from quagmire to Asian dragon

>> Campaign turns Singapore into a giant park

>> Picture of the life and career of former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew

Lee Kuan Yew and Singapore's greening vision

Mr. Ly Quang Dieu planted trees on June 16, 1963, opening the Singapore greening campaign.(Photo: Straits Times)

The Straits Times newspaper said that while studying at Cambridge University (UK), Mr. Lee Kuan Yew was very interested in how the British arranged green trees on busy roads in London. He also took the time to learn about land, drainage, fertilizer and climate.

When in charge of Singapore's development, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew emphasized expanding the coverage of trees to reduce the negative consequences of urbanization, while improving the quality of life.

He loves angsana trees (which are easy to grow as well as grow fast, spread widely) and handcuffs. In addition, trees also contribute to beautifying the urban landscape, especially when the season of flowers blooms, attracting birds to nest and bring a bustling sound to the street.

June 16, 1963 is an important milestone in the tree planting campaign in Singapore. At that time, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew himself hoe the land to plant a barren tree. Historians for Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's tree planting action are like sowing the first seeds of the "Singapore garden" dream to past barren land.

The roads in Singapore are always shady.(Photo: Straits Times)

Singapore's national prime minister chose the time of summer and drought planting, to emphasize the importance of a nationwide greening campaign to regulate the climate, bringing more rain to the island.

However, the deeper vision of Mr. Ly Quang Dieu is that he believes that a clean and green Singapore will enhance the country's competitive advantage in the process of reaching the First World.

In his memoir From the Third World to the First World, Mr. Ly Quang Dieu shared: "After independence, I always thought about measures to separate Singapore's image from the Third World countries. I decided to improve Singapore's environment and landscape. Greening the city is the most effective plan I've ever launched. "

"Green areas in the city also help raise the sense of responsibility of the people, make them proud of the entities that exist around us. We guide them to take care of trees and not destroy trees" , he said. Lee Kuan Yew told in his memoir published in 2000.

Singapore children participate in Tree Planting Day.(Photo: Straits Times)

In the decades of running the country, Mr. Ly Quang Dieu always drastically fulfilled the dream of building a "garden city" in Singapore.

"I send people everywhere, to equatorial regions, tropical, subtropical regions, to find new plants or vines. They go to Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, and bring back some varieties. New plants, they are not much, but if you have room to plant trees, to grow vines, then the heat will decrease and you have a different city, ' said Ly Quang Dieu in The Man And His Ideas. (published in 1998).

When Singapore became a modern city, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew "boasted" that he always felt comfortable and relieved when he looked from a plane looking down the tree-lined East Coast avenue.

Why is tree planting a priority for Singapore at the beginning of its independence, when the country is uncertain about economic survival?

"Mr. Ly Quang Dieu has affirmed that the greening campaign must be an essential part of the country's construction process. A green city with effective management and planning will send positive signals to investors. Moreover, it also inspires Singaporeans, making them proud that they are living in a "garden city." There are immeasurable but extremely important benefits , " said Poon Hong Yuen, owner. President of Singapore National Park Management Board (NParks), said. Today, trees shade the nearly half of Singapore.

"Singapore's greening density in 1986 was 36%, by 2007 it was 47% even though we still have impressive economic growth and population growth , " said Poon.

On November 2, 2014, Mr. Ly Quang Dieu still participated in Tree Planting Day with people despite his weakened health (Photo: Straits Times)

The whole country planted trees

Since 1971, the Singapore government decided to choose a day in the first week of November as the National Tree Planting Day.Events The first planting day took place on November 7, 1971. November is the start of the rainy season in Singapore. Therefore, the island nation can save the amount of fresh water that must be used for irrigation during this period.

The Planting Day in Singapore is really a national festival, with many meaningful activities taking place next to the main task of planting trees. Foreign officials in Singapore also enthusiastically participated in the event. Families guide children to plant trees and explain the benefits that trees bring.

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew has never been absent from any event opening ceremony for more than 50 years. On November 2, 2014, although his health was significantly weakened, he still participated in the ceremony to launch Tree Planting Day with people.