You can be fined up to S$5,000 if you are caught plucking or even picking up fruit on public land unless you have previously sought and obtained permission from the National Parks Board (NParks).

This fascinating revelation emerged thanks to an intriguing Parliamentary written question from Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Darryl David, answered by Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong on Monday (Oct. 7).

Jail term also applicable if fruits are picked up in nature reserves or national parks

This offence comes under the Parks and Trees Act.

Which also, by the way, states that should one be caught plucking or collecting fruits within nature reserves or national parks, he or she faces a fine of up to S$50,000, a jail term of six months, or both.

Wong added, "Trees, including their fruit, which are located on State land belong to the State."

What kind of fruits have people foraged from state land?

One such fruit people usually pick up from public land is, of course, the durian.

Which can be found in abundance in Yishun.

Yishun Avenue 1, in particular, is noted to have about 80 durian trees alone.

It is also fenced up and even has a “no trespassing” sign, according to Shin Min Daily News.

However that does not appear to have deterred would-be foragers, as the fence has apparently been broken into.

So if you're thinking of taking fruit from state land, remember the penalties.

Top image collage from NParks Facebook and Dinesh Valke via Flickr