Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Encyclopedia
The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (Chinese: 双溪布洛湿地保护区) is a nature reserve
located in the Northwest area of Singapore
. It is the first wetlands reserve to be gazetted in Singapore
in the year 2002, and its global importance as a stop-over point for migratory birds was also recognised by the Wetlands International
's inclusion of the reserve into the East Asian Australasian Shorebird Site Network. The reserve, with an area of 130 hectares, was listed as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003.
Previously unheard of as a nature area, the site gained prominence only in 1986 when a call was made to conserve the area by members of the Singapore Branch of the Malayan Nature Society. Particularly significant, was its unusually high variety of bird species, which included migratory birds from as far as Siberia
on their way to Australia
to escape the winter months. Their suggestion was taken up by the government, and a site with an area of 0.87 km² was given nature park status in 1989. The then Parks & Recreation Department, a precursor to today’s National Parks Board
developed and managed the nature park along with a team of experts. The most notable names from the team included the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust from the United Kingdom
and World Wide Fund for Nature
. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve was officially opened on 6 December 1993 by then Prime Minister
Goh Chok Tong
.
Over the years, Sungei Buloh charmed people from all strata of society to support its cause. It welcomed its 100,000th visitor in 1994. In 1997, the Park found its corporate sponsor in HSBC
, which set up the Sungei Buloh Education Fund in support of its nature outreach programmes. In 1999, Woodlands Secondary School
became the first school to adopt the park. It was followed by Commonwealth Secondary School
in 2001 and Hillgrove Secondary School in 2002. The latter two schools are still actively involved in the programme.
The government formally announced on 10 November 2001 that the park will be accorded nature reserve
status, a step which protects the area from any unauthorised destruction or alteration. The second phase of the park was opened, and the entire site of 130 hectares officially gazetted on 1 January 2002 as the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. It is one of the 4 nature reserves to be gazetted. The others are Labrador Nature Reserve
, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
and Central Catchment Nature Reserve
.
in the area. Fishes are in abundance due to the cessation of fishing
. The Mullet
, Archer Fish and Halfbeak
are some species of fish in the area. Amongst the many birds that can be spotted feeding on the diverse fauna variety of worms and mollusks, are Whimbrel
, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank
, Mongolian Plover, Curlew Sandpiper
, Marsh Sandpiper
and Pacific Golden Plover
, Yellow Bittern
and Cinnamon Bittern
. Lucky visitors to the Reserve may be able to spot the resident family of Smooth Otters
, as well as the rare Lesser Whistling-duck. Atlas Moth, the largest species of moth in Southeast Asia
can be found in the back mangrove. Observation hides are available in the reserve where visitors can observe the flora and fauna in the surroundings in tranquility and at a distance from the animals and birds. Saltwater crocodile
s (Crocodylus porosus) are also occasionally seen in the reserve, although it is not known whether or not these are individuals that had wandered over from Malaysia/Indonesia or a remnant localized population (this species was once common in Singapore, but was said to be extinct.)
On 25 August 2007, a wireless learning trail was launched at Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve. The new initiative which integrates technology with nature education was a partnership amongst Ministry of Education (Singapore)
(MOE), Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
(IDA) and a private sector company iCELL Network. Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve was the first park in Singapore to engage such a learning method.
, National Institute of Education
, Public Utilities Board
, Ministry of Education (Singapore)
and Sungei Buloh volunteers. Construction works of the project are expected to start in late 2010 and complete by early 2013.
The plan steers the sustainable conservation of the Reserve’s rich biodiversity into the direction of working towards a distinctive centre for wetland conservation and education. Overall, the Reserve will be expanded. The core of the nature reserve will be conserved with proper care and management while the recreational activities will be developed around the fringes. The draft plan also outlines the possible future of linking up pockets of nature around Sungei Buloh area. These areas include Lim Chu Kang
mangroves, Kranji Reservoir
Park and Kranji
Marshes.
The Reserve will have 4 different activity areas, each with specific programmes that will meet the preferences and needs of the particular types of visitors for the area. The zones are stratified according to the different activity levels in the area. Zone 1 is the High Activity Zone while Zone 4 is the Very Low Activity Zone. Zone 1 targets visitors in groups and caters to them through new facilities such as a wetland-themed play area for kids and a floating boardwalk that will allow visitors to get closer to the mangroves. Zone 2 is the Medium Activity Zone located at the coastal front. Zone 3, being a Low Activity Zone will require the accompaniment of certified nature guides in order to enter. Zone 4 is a restricted zone where the core of the nature reserve will be under conservation and research purposes.
. Buses there include service 925C and the Kranji Express which leaves every hour from 1200 to 1700 daily. 925C leaves every half hour on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
located in the Northwest area of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. It is the first wetlands reserve to be gazetted in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in the year 2002, and its global importance as a stop-over point for migratory birds was also recognised by the Wetlands International
Wetlands International
Wetlands International is a global organisation that works to sustain and restore wetlands and their resources for people and biodiversity. It is an independent, not-for-profit, global organisation, supported by government and NGO membership from around the world...
's inclusion of the reserve into the East Asian Australasian Shorebird Site Network. The reserve, with an area of 130 hectares, was listed as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003.
History
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
on their way to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
to escape the winter months. Their suggestion was taken up by the government, and a site with an area of 0.87 km² was given nature park status in 1989. The then Parks & Recreation Department, a precursor to today’s National Parks Board
National Parks Board
The National Parks Board is a statutory board of the Singapore Government.The National Parks Board is responsible for providing and enhancing the greenery of Singapore. NParks manages around 300 parks, the park connector network and the roadside greenery in Singapore...
developed and managed the nature park along with a team of experts. The most notable names from the team included the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and World Wide Fund for Nature
World Wide Fund for Nature
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve was officially opened on 6 December 1993 by then Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Singapore
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore is the head of the government of the Republic of Singapore. The President of Singapore appoints as Prime Minister a Member of Parliament who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of a majority of MPs.The office of Prime Minister...
Goh Chok Tong
Goh Chok Tong
Goh Chok Tong is the Senior Minister of Singapore and the chairman of the central bank of Singapore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He also served as the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from 28 November 1990 to 12 August 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime...
.
Over the years, Sungei Buloh charmed people from all strata of society to support its cause. It welcomed its 100,000th visitor in 1994. In 1997, the Park found its corporate sponsor in HSBC
HSBC
HSBC Holdings plc is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. it is the world's second-largest banking and financial services group and second-largest public company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine...
, which set up the Sungei Buloh Education Fund in support of its nature outreach programmes. In 1999, Woodlands Secondary School
Woodlands Secondary School
Woodlands Secondary School may refer to:*Woodlands Secondary School, UK, a school in the United Kingdom*Woodlands Secondary School, Singapore, a school in Singapore*Woodlands Secondary School , a school in British Columbia, Canada...
became the first school to adopt the park. It was followed by Commonwealth Secondary School
Commonwealth Secondary School
Commonwealth Secondary School is a government, autonomous and coeducational secondary school in Singapore. Founded in 1964, Commonwealth Secondary School offers secondary school education from secondary one to four/five which leads to the GCE 'O' Level and GCE 'N' Level certificates, and admits...
in 2001 and Hillgrove Secondary School in 2002. The latter two schools are still actively involved in the programme.
The government formally announced on 10 November 2001 that the park will be accorded nature reserve
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
status, a step which protects the area from any unauthorised destruction or alteration. The second phase of the park was opened, and the entire site of 130 hectares officially gazetted on 1 January 2002 as the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. It is one of the 4 nature reserves to be gazetted. The others are Labrador Nature Reserve
Labrador Nature Reserve
Labrador Nature Reserve , also locally known as Labrador Park , is located in the southern part of the main island of Singapore. It contains the only rocky sea-cliff on the mainland that is accessible to the public...
, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a small 1.64 square kilometer nature reserve near the geographic centre of the city-state of Singapore, located on the slopes of Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore's highest hill standing at a height of 163.63 metres, and parts of the surrounding area...
and Central Catchment Nature Reserve
Central Catchment Nature Reserve
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Singapore, occupying 2889 hectares Forming a large green lung in the geographical centre of the city, it houses several recreational sites, including the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari, as well as several newer facilities...
.
Wildlife
Crabs and mudskippers dominate the littoral zone, the area between the low and high tide zones. Mud lobsters and their volcano-like mounds can be observed above the high-tide level. One may even find Malayan water monitorWater monitor
The Water monitor, is a large species of monitor lizard capable of growing to in length, with the average size of most adults at long. Maximum weight of Varanus salvator can be over , but most are half that size. Their body is muscular with a long, powerful, laterally compressed tail...
in the area. Fishes are in abundance due to the cessation of fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
. The Mullet
Mullet (fish)
The mullets or grey mullets are a family and order of ray-finned fish found worldwide in coastal temperate and tropical waters, and in some species in fresh water. Mullets have served as an important source of food in Mediterranean Europe since Roman times...
, Archer Fish and Halfbeak
Halfbeak
The halfbeaks are a geographically widespread and numerically abundant family of epipelagic fish inhabiting warm waters around the world. The family Hemiramphidae is divided into two subfamilies, the primarily marine Hemiramphinae and the freshwater or estuarine Zenarchopterinae...
are some species of fish in the area. Amongst the many birds that can be spotted feeding on the diverse fauna variety of worms and mollusks, are Whimbrel
Whimbrel
The Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is one of the mostwidespread of the curlews, breeding across much of subarctic North America, Europe and Asia as far south as Scotland....
, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank
Common Redshank
The Common Redshank or simply Redshank is an Eurasian wader in the large family Scolopacidae.- Description and systematics :...
, Mongolian Plover, Curlew Sandpiper
Curlew Sandpiper
The Curlew Sandpiper is a small wader that breeds on the tundra of Arctic Siberia. It is strongly migratory, wintering mainly in Africa, but also in south and southeast Asia and in Australasia...
, Marsh Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper
The Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis, is a small wader. It is a rather small shank, and breeds in open grassy steppe and taiga wetlands from easternmost Europe to central Asia....
and Pacific Golden Plover
Pacific Golden Plover
The Pacific Golden Plover is a medium-sized plover.The 23–26 cm long breeding adult is spotted gold and black on the crown, back and wings. Its face and neck are black with a white border and it has a black breast and a dark rump. The legs are black...
, Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern
The Yellow Bittern is a small bittern. It is of Old World origins, breeding in much of the Indian Subcontinent, east to Japan and Indonesia. It is mainly resident, but some northern birds migrate short distances...
and Cinnamon Bittern
Cinnamon Bittern
The Cinnamon Bittern or Chestnut Bittern is a small bittern. It is of Old World origins, breeding in tropical Asia from Pakistan to Sri Lanka east to China and Indonesia. It is mainly resident, but some northern birds migrate short distances.This is a small species at 38 cm length, with a...
. Lucky visitors to the Reserve may be able to spot the resident family of Smooth Otters
Smooth-coated Otter
The Smooth-coated Otter is a species of otter, the only extant representative of the genus Lutrogale. The species is found from southern Pakistan and parts of the India east to Southeast Asia, and there is a disjunct population in Iraq...
, as well as the rare Lesser Whistling-duck. Atlas Moth, the largest species of moth in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
can be found in the back mangrove. Observation hides are available in the reserve where visitors can observe the flora and fauna in the surroundings in tranquility and at a distance from the animals and birds. Saltwater crocodile
Saltwater Crocodile
The saltwater crocodile, also known as estuarine or Indo-Pacific crocodile, is the largest of all living reptiles...
s (Crocodylus porosus) are also occasionally seen in the reserve, although it is not known whether or not these are individuals that had wandered over from Malaysia/Indonesia or a remnant localized population (this species was once common in Singapore, but was said to be extinct.)
Nature Education
Since its inception, the Reserve had provided nature education programs as well as a volunteer guide programme for schools and the general public. These include the SUN Club programme which are meant for students with special needs, mentorship programmes for secondary school students and Young Naturalists Programme. Many such programmes were collaboration efforts with partners such as British Council and the Ministry of Education. The Reserve distributes education materials such as workshops, guidebook and a triannual magazine, 'Wetlands' to further enrich the students and public. Each year, the nature reserve receives more than 400 organised school visits.On 25 August 2007, a wireless learning trail was launched at Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve. The new initiative which integrates technology with nature education was a partnership amongst Ministry of Education (Singapore)
Ministry of Education (Singapore)
The Ministry Of Education is a ministry of the Government of Singapore that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to education in Singapore.-Statutory boards:...
(MOE), Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore is a statutory board of the Singapore Government, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts .-History:...
(IDA) and a private sector company iCELL Network. Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve was the first park in Singapore to engage such a learning method.
Future Development
As the Reserve celebrates its 15th year anniversary on 6 December 2008, Draft Sungei Buloh Master Plan was unveiled. The plan was drafted by a team which consists of National Parks Board (NParks) and representatives from Nature Society Singapore, the Singapore Environment Council, National University of SingaporeNational University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
, National Institute of Education
National Institute of Education
The is an institute of the , Singapore.NIE, Singapore, provides all levels of teacher education, from programmes to for in-service teachers and executive for Principals, Departmental Heads and other school leaders. NIE also administers postgraduate programmes that lead to the award of in...
, Public Utilities Board
Public Utilities Board
The Public Utilities Board is a statutory board of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources under the Government of Singapore....
, Ministry of Education (Singapore)
Ministry of Education (Singapore)
The Ministry Of Education is a ministry of the Government of Singapore that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to education in Singapore.-Statutory boards:...
and Sungei Buloh volunteers. Construction works of the project are expected to start in late 2010 and complete by early 2013.
The plan steers the sustainable conservation of the Reserve’s rich biodiversity into the direction of working towards a distinctive centre for wetland conservation and education. Overall, the Reserve will be expanded. The core of the nature reserve will be conserved with proper care and management while the recreational activities will be developed around the fringes. The draft plan also outlines the possible future of linking up pockets of nature around Sungei Buloh area. These areas include Lim Chu Kang
Lim Chu Kang
Lim Chu Kang is a planning area located in the northwestern part of Singapore.-History:Lim Chu Kang Village was founded by Neo Tiew , a Chinese immigrant who was the sheriff of the village. The village is on the banks of the Sungei Kranji and was controlled by the Lim clan. Neo Tiew also set up a...
mangroves, Kranji Reservoir
Kranji Reservoir
Kranji Reservoir is a reservoir in the northern part of Singapore, near the Straits of Johor was a former freshwater river that flowed out into the sea that dammed at its mouth to form a freshwater reservoir. It can also be classified as an estuary...
Park and Kranji
Kranji
Kranji is a suburb in northwestern Singapore, located about from the city centre.-Etymology:Kranji is named after a local tree, the kranji or keranji . Its abundance has rapidly dwindled since the first half of the nineteenth century.-History:The first Singapore-Kranji railway from Tank Road to...
Marshes.
The Reserve will have 4 different activity areas, each with specific programmes that will meet the preferences and needs of the particular types of visitors for the area. The zones are stratified according to the different activity levels in the area. Zone 1 is the High Activity Zone while Zone 4 is the Very Low Activity Zone. Zone 1 targets visitors in groups and caters to them through new facilities such as a wetland-themed play area for kids and a floating boardwalk that will allow visitors to get closer to the mangroves. Zone 2 is the Medium Activity Zone located at the coastal front. Zone 3, being a Low Activity Zone will require the accompaniment of certified nature guides in order to enter. Zone 4 is a restricted zone where the core of the nature reserve will be under conservation and research purposes.
Getting There
The place is located at Neo Tiew Crescent,15 minutes away from Kranji MRT StationKranji MRT Station
Kranji MRT Station ' is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit train station on the North South Line in Singapore. This station also serves workers of nearby industrial estates which is Sungei Kadut. There were initial plans for a KTM railway station to be located near the station, to serve...
. Buses there include service 925C and the Kranji Express which leaves every hour from 1200 to 1700 daily. 925C leaves every half hour on Sundays and Public Holidays.
| Service | Between | And | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMRT Buses Trunk Services | |||
| 925C | Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange was completed and opened along with the Woodlands extension of the North South MRT Line in 1996. It is the first underground bus interchange, and one of the biggest in Singapore... |
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve | Operates Sundays and public holidays only.  |
| Kranji Express | |||
| KE | Kranji MRT Station Kranji MRT Station Kranji MRT Station ' is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit train station on the North South Line in Singapore. This station also serves workers of nearby industrial estates which is Sungei Kadut. There were initial plans for a KTM railway station to be located near the station, to serve... |
Kranji Countryside | See this website http://www.kranjicountryside.com/template/schedule.html. |
See also
- Labrador Nature ReserveLabrador Nature ReserveLabrador Nature Reserve , also locally known as Labrador Park , is located in the southern part of the main island of Singapore. It contains the only rocky sea-cliff on the mainland that is accessible to the public...
- Central Catchment Nature ReserveCentral Catchment Nature ReserveThe Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Singapore, occupying 2889 hectares Forming a large green lung in the geographical centre of the city, it houses several recreational sites, including the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari, as well as several newer facilities...
- Bukit Timah Nature ReserveBukit Timah Nature ReserveThe Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a small 1.64 square kilometer nature reserve near the geographic centre of the city-state of Singapore, located on the slopes of Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore's highest hill standing at a height of 163.63 metres, and parts of the surrounding area...
External links
- Official site
- Peter Chou's PBase Gallery Sungei Buloh.
- Gallery of photographs by John Larkin