Wanting to prevent overzealous trainers from trampling over protected environments or even losing their way in jungles, the National Parks Board (NParks) is pleading with Pokémon Go developers Niantic to do something about it. 

It’s worried about the existence of Pokéstops (in-game landmarks for players to collect rewards) in sensitive, off-limit areas of Singapore’s nature reserves. After all, hell hath no fury than a mass of Pokémon Go players hunting for wild Charizards. Hougang residents should know how bad things can get when it comes to the viral augmented reality game.

The three places identified with wayward Pokéstops: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Niantic unknowingly designated hotspots in their off-limit areas, where it’s considered an offence to enter (you can only travel on designated trails). 

The Straits Times reported that NParks actually appealed to the mobile game developers back in August, but it seemed to have made no impact — the Pokéstops in subject remain untouched. 

Giga Drain

If it’s any consolation to NParks, they aren’t the only ones facing the issue of errant Pokémon Go players stomping and trampling over protected environments. In fact, Singapore’s nature reserves have it quite good compared to places across the world:

• Peg Paterson Park, Sydney, Australia: The existence of three Pokéstops have attracted a nightly pilgrimage of hundreds of players. What used to be a quiet, green park is now a noisy, litter-filled, muddy landscape. 
• Kings Park, Perth, Australia: Unaware players trample garden beds, destroying fragile gardens and threatening the growth of spring wildflowers. 
• Loyola Dunes, Chicago, USA: Players enter the fenced-in habitat and refuse to keep off the grass, destroying endangered plants and habitats protected under state and federal law. 

Right now, NParks has its hands tied regarding the location of Pokéstops in the nature reserves. “We cannot confirm the status of removal requests for specific Pokestop and gym locations in Pokémon Go, but are moving quickly to review and address all such requests,” said a spokesperson from Niantic.