A huge wooden monument rises amidst lush vegetation. The exquisite fusion of plants and man-made structures creates a futuristic atmosphere. This is Gardens by the Bay, located in the heart of Singapore. Various plants from all continents except Antarctica are on display, giving visitors the feeling of traveling around the world with plants.
The botanical garden is part of Singapore's national greening policy. When Singapore gained independence from Malaysia in a semi-exile-like manner, it lacked developed industries and resources. The country had no choice but to rely on tourism and business attraction to survive and prosper, and this is where the greening policy came into play. Thanks to these efforts, Singapore is now known as a clean, safe, and secure country.
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(Photo:William Cho / Flickr [CC BY-NC-SA 2.0])