₹3.5 lakh fine for picking a fallen mango? THIS Singapore rule goes viral, leaves internet stunned and divided

A simple social media post has now turned into a widely discussed topic online, and the reason behind it is something very ordinary. A fallen mango from a tree has become the center of a big conversation about rules, discipline, and public property. What started as a small remark has now spread across platforms and caught the attention of many users, especially in India.The discussion is mainly around Singapore’s strict rules for public spaces and how even small actions can sometimes come under legal scrutiny.The buzz began after Priyanka Sinha, an Indian woman living in Singapore, shared her experience on social media. In her post, she mentioned a rule that surprised many users online. She said that even picking a fallen mango from a public tree in Singapore could result in a fine. According to her post, the fine could go up to SGD 5,000, which is around Rs 3.5 lakh. This statement quickly went viral and sparked a lot of reactions.As per information shared by the Ministry of National Development (MND), trees that are on state land, including their fruits, are considered government property. These trees are maintained by NParks, which takes care of most public greenery in Singapore.The guidelines clearly explain that people need permission before taking fruit from such trees. The official statement says:“Trees, including their fruit, which are located on State land belong to the State. NParks manages most of the trees on State land. Members of the public who wish to pluck fruit from trees, or collect fruit that has dropped from trees on State land should approach NParks for permission. Those who pluck or collect fruit in a public park without permission can be fined up to $5,000 under the Parks and Trees Act. Those who do so in a nature reserve or a national park can be fined up to $50,000, and/or imprisoned for up to 6 months.”After the post went viral, users online reacted with a mix of surprise and humour. Many compared the situation with India, where people often pick fruits from roadside trees without restrictions.One user commented, “What if our pet animals can help to collect?”Another user replied, “In Singapore, pets are treated as an extension of the owner. If your pet collects fruit from a public tree, you are legally considered to have ‘caused or permitted’ the act.”A third user wrote, “OMG! My India is the best.”Disclaimer: This article is based on information shared in a viral social media post and publicly available guidelines issued by authorities in Singapore. The Times of India does not independently verify the specific claims made in individual social media posts. Thumb image: Instagram