Eco-tours are a good way to bring people closer to nature in Singapore (Nature Beckons, Life, Oct 30).

Although there are more organisations offering eco-tours, there are insufficient tour guides to keep an eye on every visitor. It is not uncommon to see plastic bags and unwanted items littered everywhere.

The problem is that Singaporeans are accustomed to having cleaners pick up after them. This mindset cannot continue if Singapore wants to be recognised as a clean and green city.

There are a few ways to protect green spaces here.

Visitors should bring with them reusable bags for trash. It would be even better if they could pick up the trash they see.

Another way is to impose stricter punishments on litterbugs, such as longer corrective work orders, instead of monetary fines.

CCTVs should be installed to deter offenders.

Wong Jun Wei

Eco guides can partner grassroots organisations to offer subsidised tours. These tours can be offered along with the occasional durian and fruit tours to Malaysia.

Even better, they can be part of an environmental education initiative at community spaces.

Grassroots organisations can partner nature guides to offer structured environmental initiatives such as workshops or talks.

Chow Yong Sheng

Eco-tours provide insight into the flora and fauna that go unnoticed in our daily lives.

For those who may not want to pay to attend these sessions, there are many free activities organised by statutory boards and civil society groups.

I recently attended Nature Society (Singapore)'s Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research programme. It made me realise there are many unknown areas in Singapore that are home to our rich and unique biodiversity.

NParks also organises many guided tours on trails around the nature reserves in Singapore, conducted for free by passionate volunteers.

Daniel Tan