Hey there!
Today, we had a talk by Professor Peter Ng. Dr Ng is a widely-respected biologist who discovered Johora Singaporensis, a species of crab that is endemic to Singapore.
During the talk, Dr Ng mentioned that Bukit Timah nature reserve has to be regularly maintained by people due to the lack of animals for seed dispersal. This problem is further exacerbated by the fact that many of the plants, some which are vital species to the nature site, require animals to disperse seeds. This is quite saddening to hear. Although the site used to be a forest with a self-sustaining ecosystem, the survival of the nature reserve now strictly depends on man’s regular efforts to maintain the site and ensure that the seeds of the plants are dispersed.
One of the main reason for such a change could possibly be due to the huge extents of fragmentation from development, affecting seed dispersal routes. In the map below, other than the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) which separates the Central Water Catchment area and the Bukit Timah Nature reserve, we can also see developments such as a golf site, a rifle range and even condominiums around the nature site.
Photo courtesy of Google Maps (https://www.google.com.sg/maps/place/Bukit+Timah+Nature+Reserve/@1.3483979,103.7752687,779m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x31da10f5981ed73b:0x7b421dc2a7c58be!8m2!3d1.3483925!4d103.7774628 )
In my mind, there are so many questions:
Could it be possible to restore the nature reserve its original state? Is it possible to bring back these animals that are crucial in ensuring the healthy state of the forest?
On 22 October 2016, Bukit Timah nature reserve was opened to the public after two years of closure (Spykerman, 2016). During these two years, restoration efforts were mainly targeted at facilities like trails and boardwalks. In other words, the restoration efforts were focused on satisfying the needs of the public. These restoration efforts are understandable, considering that many of these old facilities are posing a threat to the safety of the public. However, would it be better if the same amount of resources is dedicated to bringing the forest back to life so that regular maintenance can be minimised? Would this even be possible, considering the degree of fragmentation that has already resulted to the nature site?
Frankly, I do not know the answers to these questions. Seeing that the nature reserve has been maintained by people for years and there seems to be no improvement to the natural state of the forest, I couldn’t help but have a more negative stance regarding the future situation of the nature reserve. This could be why I find it ironic that much resources have been spent on improving the infrastructure of the reserve despite the dire state of the forest. However, I still have belief that not all hope is lost . After all, the reserve has one of the richest biodiversity (Nparks, 2016). Let’s not put our faith down. I feel that the best thing we can do is to minimize as much disruption to the nature reserve as possible and stop any more developments to the area.
Cheers!
♣ Johanah
Reference:
Nparks. (2016, October 24). Bukit Timah nature reserve. Retrieved October 31, 2016, from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/bukit-timah-nature-reserve
Spykerman, K. (2016, October 22). Bukit Timah nature reserve reopens after 2 years of restoration work. Retrieved October 31, 2016, from Channel News Asia, http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/bukit-timah-nature-reserve-reopens-after-2-years-of-restoration/3226578.html
Yu Lin
November 9, 2016 at 3:57 pmHi Johanah! This is an interesting post about the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve! May I clarify what do you mean by the last part about minimizing disruption? Is that on an individual scale or is that beyond the individual’s control? Also, you reminded me how Dr Ng talked about protecting nature because it is ours. Ironically, development in such areas often take place also because the relevant parties (e.g. the government and companies) feel that the LAND is ours. I would personally feel distraught if Bukit Timah Nature Reserve was ‘sacrificed’ for development/the economy not only because of the environmental issues but also because of the memories from school events and activities there, and I am sure I am not alone in feeling this way. Perhaps a way to conserve the area lies not only in the scientific research formally presented to argue for conservation, but rather we should appeal to the citizens? I’m not very sure HAHAHA but what do you think about solutions which look more at non-environmental factors or influence to attain the same goal environmentalists desire i.e. conservation? Thank you!
Johanah Seow
November 9, 2016 at 10:34 pmHi Yu Lin 🙂
Thank you for reading! I do admit that I was a little vague about the part about minimizing disruption. I think that individually, we can do our part with really simple actions like not littering or feeding the animals in the vicinity. Like what Dr Ng has mentioned, government was in a tough position when the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve was closed due to the demands of the public to build more facilities in the area like new trails. It would perhaps be great if the public understands the value of this area and lessen the demand of such facilities in natural sites. Furthermore, we can unite our individual voice together and stop the destruction of nature sites like in the case of Chek Jawa. However, I do agree that having a collective voice is challenging which brings back to the importance of public awareness. If everyone can do their part of speaking out individually, I believe that we should have some control over the minimization of such disruption.
Yes, I agree that appealing to the citizens through their memories in these nature sites would be a great way to get them to conserve. This reminds me of the post that I wrote about Sembawang Sports Hub whereby the residents were reluctant to the sports hub due to the attachment to the green spaces (which used to be kampong with fruit plantations) where they associate with their childhood. I feel that non-environmental factors will instead prove to be more effective in getting the public to conserve. However, I also worry because our current generation has little exposure to green spaces or nature sites which will make it challenging for us to look into non-environmental factors. Hence, we should start by giving people more exposure to these green spaces or nature sites through education or field trips to these areas so that a sense of attachment can be developed. From there, it would be easier for us to use non-environmental factors to promote conservation.
-Johanah
Tan Boxin
November 10, 2016 at 3:33 pmHi Johanah and Yulin,
Indeed that Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is one of the most prominent icon in Singapore. Majority of Singaporeans have definitely been to there and accumulated many fond memories of them at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Thus, it seems logical to tap on such fond memories that people have in order to promote the conservation efforts in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. In addition, as Johanah had mentioned that our current generations could have more exposure to green spaces or nature sites through education and field trips, I think the future of our green spaces and nature sites are optimistic.
However, I think that other than field trips where students only get to observe such green spaces and nature sites in a comfortable environment, hands-on experience can be provided to them by asking them to personally enter the muddy field to plant vegetables and get themselves dirty, similar to what Ground-Up Initiatives is doing where they provide first-hand experience for the public to have a direct interaction between humans and the nature to promote the feeling of the importance of protecting our nature.
Therefore, if more of such initiatives were to be implemented, I think it will be optimistic for our future state of nature reserves.
Boxin
Johanah Seow
November 10, 2016 at 5:03 pmHi Boxin,
Glad that we share the same sentiments! Yes, this is a really good point that you pointed out about how there should be hands-on experience as well. I believe that hands-on activities will effective in bringing out the sense of attachment to nature! It would also be more memorable for them. 🙂
– Johanah