An Indian woman living in Singapore has sparked wide discussion with a social media post claiming that picking up even a single mango fallen from a tree on public land there could cost a hefty fine.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Priyanka Sinha said that picking up a mango lying under a public tree in Singapore could bring a fine of up to 5,000 Singapore dollars, roughly Tk 5 lakh in Bangladeshi currency.

The post went viral almost immediately. Many Indian social media users in particular expressed surprise, since in many South Asian countries people freely collect fruit from roadside trees.

Describing her experience, Priyanka Sinha said fruit on trees in public places in Singapore is treated as state property, so no one may pick fruit from those trees or collect fallen fruit without permission.

The post drew a range of reactions. Some compared Singapore with India, saying such a law would be almost impossible to enforce in Indian cities. Others said Singapore's strict civic laws and culture of discipline are why the country is so clean and orderly.

The website of Singapore's National Parks Board (NParks) also gives clear guidance. It says trees on state land and their fruit are owned by the state, and most of these trees are managed by NParks.

Anyone who wants to pick fruit from trees on state land or collect fallen fruit must first get permission from NParks. Collecting fruit from a public park without permission can bring a fine of up to S$5,000 under the Parks and Trees Act.

If someone collects fruit from a nature reserve or national park area, the fine can rise to as much as S$50,000, and there can also be a jail term of up to six months.

The law also prompted plenty of humour on social media. One user joked, what if our pet picks up the fruit? Another replied that in Singapore a pet is treated as part of its owner, so if your pet collects fruit from a public tree, it is legally considered your act.

Another commented, "Oh my God! My India is the best." Many, however, felt that even if the fines are excessive, Singapore's strict laws have helped keep its public spaces clean and orderly.

Singapore is known worldwide for its strict civic laws, with heavy penalties for matters such as cleanliness, vandalism, littering and misuse of public property. The authorities say these strict rules have made Singapore one of the cleanest and safest countries in the world. The report drew on NDTV.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.