In Singapore, fruit-bearing trees located on public or state-owned land are considered government property. Under the Parks and Trees Act, people are not allowed to pluck fruits or even collect fallen fruits, including mangoes, from public trees without permission from NParks, the country’s national parks authority. Violators can face fines of up to SGD 5,000 in public parks.
In nature reserves and national parks, penalties can rise to SGD 50,000 and may also include imprisonment of up to six months. The law is part of Singapore’s strict civic regulations aimed at protecting public property and maintaining order in shared spaces.
Indian woman shares shocking laws
The intense debate on Singapore strict laws came into light after an Indian woman living in Singapore has gone viral after revealing the city-state’s strict rules around public property, claiming that even picking up a fallen mango from a government-owned tree could result in a hefty fine of up to SGD 5,000 (around Rs 3.5 lakh).
The post, shared on X by Priyanka Sinha, quickly sparked debate online, especially among Indian social media users who were shocked by the idea of being penalised for collecting fruit lying on the ground.
Singapore's strict rule book
Explaining the rule, Sinha said that fruit-bearing trees planted in public areas are considered state property in Singapore. Residents are generally not allowed to pluck fruits or even collect fallen ones without official permission.
The claim led to a flood of reactions online, with many users comparing the situation to India, where roadside fruit trees are often freely accessed by locals. Some joked that such a law would be impossible to enforce in Indian cities, while others said the rule reflected Singapore’s reputation for maintaining strict civic discipline and public order.
According to Singapore’s Ministry of National Development (MND) Trees website, trees and their fruits located on state land belong to the government and are managed mainly by NParks. Members of the public who wish to pluck or collect fruit from such trees must first seek permission.
Imprisonment and SGD 50,000 fine
Under the Parks and Trees Act, anyone caught collecting or plucking fruit in a public park without approval can face a fine of up to SGD 5,000. In nature reserves or national parks, penalties can go up to SGD 50,000 and may even include imprisonment of up to six months.
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The viral discussion also produced humorous responses. One user joked, “What if our pet animals can help to collect?” Another replied that in Singapore, pets are treated as an extension of the owner, meaning the owner could still be held legally responsible.
Another user commented, “OMG! My India is the best.”
Singapore is globally known for its strict regulations related to cleanliness, littering, vandalism, and misuse of public property. Authorities say such tough laws help maintain the country’s image as one of the cleanest and safest nations in the world.
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