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All along the Conservancy
Association has emphasized the importance of cultural and historical
heritage as an integral part of our environment. As early as 1981,
we called for agriculture to be maintained not just as an economic
activity but also as part of our cultural diversity. We advocated
the preservation and use of space for cultural institutions and
activities in the face of growing urbanization.
Even though considerable progress was made in environmental
conservation, with respect to heritage, for many years the CA had
been a lone voice, and little value was accorded to heritage
conservation. Thankfully, it has been changing in recent years.
Increasingly heritage is cherished by the community at large,
perhaps because the stock is diminishing. Heritage conservation is
no longer the domain of a few activists, but a concern of the wider
community. The preservation of Kom Tong Hall
has signified that the community has begun to treasure our heritage.
In many ways, heritage conservation is also a matter of sustainable
development and cross-generational equity. We do not have the right
to deplete our natural or cultural resources, especially if they are
non-renewable, to the detriment of our future generations.
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