Bird lovers ruffled by sudden ban on hanging cages in Bedok North

For more than 40 years, bird lovers in Bedok North had been hanging their cages in a pavilion near their HDB flats - until early April, when the iron beams used for this purpose were suddenly removed.

Residents said they were not informed beforehand. Some later pooled money to erect a freestanding iron frame nearby to continue the long-standing activity. But that, too, was taken down.

Mr Chen, 60, a chef who has lived in the area for decades, told Shin Min Daily News that he and other bird enthusiasts would often gather at the pavilion at Block 121 Bedok North Street 2 to "walk" their birds - an activity that typically involves bringing pet birds out and hanging their cages in shared spaces.

"I've been bringing my birds here occasionally for 40 years," he said. "I never thought the beams would be removed and we'd be left with nowhere to hang our cages."

In early May, a resident built an iron frame on a nearby lawn to serve the same purpose.

But within two weeks, the town council issued a notice stating that the structure was unauthorised and had to be removed within three days.

"From what I've heard, the bird enthusiasts spent quite a bit of money to put it up, only for it to be taken down soon after," Mr Chen added.

Photos provided to Shin Min Daily News showed a one-and-a-half-storey-high iron frame, supported by four vertical bars, with several horizontal rods across the top for hanging cages.

Furthermore, a town council notice dated April 10 was also pictured, describing the frame as an unauthorised structure.

Mr Chen said that on weekdays, fewer than 10 residents gather with their birds, while on weekends, the group may grow to about 20 people. He added that there have been no complaints about noise.

"We even proposed several alternative locations to the authorities, but all were rejected without explanation," he said.

When a Shin Min Daily News reporter visited the site recently, only a few blue vertical bars remained at the pavilion.

The iron frame on the lawn had been removed. However, two bird cages were seen hanging from ropes strung above a nearby covered walkway, though no bird owners were present.

The New Paper has contacted East Coast Town Council for comment.