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Thursday, September 23, 2010Y

Our Project

Fragility of the forest

The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve now stands totally cut off from the bulk of Singapore's regenerating secondary forest by a six-lane road development. New roads are now being built to the north, completing the hill's encirclement by tarmac. An ugly communications building dominates the summit and recent, thoughtless condominium development at the park's boundary has meant an increase in recreational visitors. There is serious erosion along some of the forest trails.

Furthermore, what are the long term effects of the granite quarrying which has eaten away at the hillside for decades ? Is there a risk of the water table becoming lower ? Is the forest becoming drier ? A precarious existence indeed for this last sizable remnant of Singapore's once extensive Primary Forest. There is no suggestion that inappropriate development will ever take place within the boundary of the reserve as the land is under the care of the National Parks Board, but the ecological damage may already have been done at the periphery.

Activities that can be carried out

Activities that can be carried out would

be bird watching,

cycling ,hiking ,sight seeing, rock

climbing or even a picnic.

ends at 7:46 AM

Thursday, September 16, 2010Y

Our Project

Characteristics

The forest of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has a rich variety of flora and fauna, with more than 840 flowering plants ,almost 100 species of ferns,and over 240 species of vertebates. In a 2-hectare study plot, more than 350 species of trees were recorded. Located in the center-west of Singapore is a hill called Bukit Timah; with an official height of 164 metres or 538 feet this is the highest point in the country.

The shortest trekking route to the summit follows what what the park has labeled as the "Red Walking Trail" which is just over 1 km and follows a paved road heading northwest from the the reserve's visitor center before turning north, then northwest. Here you will see a stairway called the "Summit Path" which will take you on a direct route to the summit. Continuing along the road, you will pass the summit on the west before turning northeast and then southeast to reach the summit. This is the shortest way up and takes about 15-30 minutes. Bukit Timah Hill comprises largely of granite.

Summit Path

History of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

In 1882, then Superintendent of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, was commissioned by the Government of the Straits Settlements to prepare a report on the forests of the settlements. On Cantley's recommendation, several forest reserves were created on Singapore island over the next few years. Bukit Timah was one of the first forest reserves established in 1883.

All the reserves were worked for timber except Bukit Timah Reserve. By 1937, the forest reserves were depleted under economic pressures for development. However, Bukit Timah Reserve were retained for the protection of flora and fauna under the management of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Bukit Timah was further protected by legislation as a National Park in 1951. The origin of the word 'timah' is debatable. 'Timah' in Malay refers to 'tin', which however is not found in this area of Singapore. 'Timah' most likely would have referred to 'temak', a tall pale-crowned timber yielding tree found in abundance in these forests.

Now, the nature reserves are for the propagation, protection and preservation of the indigenous flora and fauna of Singapore .

Examples of fauna: