Picking up a fallen mango from a public tree in Singapore could reportedly land you with a fine of up to SGD5,000 (around `3.5 lakh) – a fact that recently shocked Indian social media users. The debate began after Indian-origin Singapore resident Priyanka Sinha shared on X that fruit-bearing trees in public spaces are treated as government property, meaning residents cannot pluck or collect fruits without permission.The Ministry of National Development (MND) Trees states on its website: “Trees, including their fruit, which are located on State land belong to the State. NParks manages most of the trees on State land. Members of the public who wish to pluck fruit from trees, or collect fruit that has dropped from trees on State land should approach NParks for permission. Those who pluck or collect fruit in a public park without permission can be fined up to $5,000 under the Parks and Trees Act. Those who do so in a nature reserve or a national park can be fined up to $50,000, and/or imprisoned for up to 6 months.”‘What if our pets helped to collect?’The internet, naturally, had jokes ready. Many online users compared the situation to India, where roadside fruit trees are often freely accessed by locals. While some joked that such a rule would be impossible to enforce here, others said it reflected Singapore’s strict civic discipline. One user cheekily asked, “What if our pet animals can help to collect?” Another quickly replied, “In Singapore, pets are treated as an extension of the owner. If your pet collects fruit from a public tree, you are legally considered to have ‘caused or permitted’ the act.”
