Practically every day, visitors to the Bukit Batok Nature Park have to put up with the loud droning, and sometimes deafening sound, of the blower machines used to clear dried fallen leaves.

Besides the noise, the machines also emit petrol-smelling fumes and churn up a lot of dust.

It is natural to have some fallen leaves in a park. It is not necessary to clear them away every day.

The leaves are blown to the side of the paths and, after a week or so, the National Parks Board (NParks) collects and disposes of them.

To improve the situation, I suggest that NParks go back to the old way of sweeping with a broom.

If it must use leaf blowers, then it should use them only once or twice a week and at non-peak hours when there are fewer visitors around, such as in the afternoon between 1pm and 5pm.

Also, the leaves should be disposed of right away.

In this way, we can let peace and fresh air return to Bukit Batok Nature Park.

Chan Siu Yung