Nature reserves in Singapore explained

The Singaporean government has established four nature reserves in Singapore. They are the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Labrador Nature Reserve, and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.[1]

History

One of the first notions of nature reserves in Singapore was thought up by the then-Singapore Botanical Gardens Superintendent N. C. Cantley who, in 1882, proposed that select areas of land be preserved. In as early as 1883, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (as it is now known) was established, making it the inaugural nature reserve in Singapore. The Singapore Nature Reserves Act officially came into action in 1971. In 1984, nature reserves took up some of the country's land.[2] This figure has been increased to, as of 2009.

Biosphere reserves

The Public Utilities Board-maintained Central Catchment Nature Reserve is Singapore's largest nature reserve.[2] The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve aids in the conservation of both bird species and mangrove plants.[3] The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, albeit small-sized at, hosts myriad plant and animal lifeforms. Chek Jawa is situated in eastern Pulau Ubin.The Labrador Nature Reserve is located by the sea. Described as "an oasis of tranquility and natural wonders", it teems with vast animal life, as well as plant life by the cliff.[4] The large Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve comprises mostly wetland and a few bird species, most notably the shorebird, can be spotted there.[5] It is cited as the "first wetlands reserve to be gazetted in Singapore".[6]

Issues

Owing to rapid urban development, the country is in need of more land for things such as housing, which is deemed more important than nature reservation. One possible issue faced by the biosphere reserves in Singapore is that they will be turned into nothingness by the government when the need arises.[7] There was an instance when the government had wanted to reclaim part of Chek Jawa, but this was opposed by conservationists and it was ultimately not reclaimed.[8]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nature Areas & Nature Reserves. 2021-09-18. National Parks Board. en.
  2. Book: The Concise Flora of Singapore: Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons . 20– . 1 . Hsuan Keng . 1990 . NUS Press . 9789971691356 .
  3. Book: Tan, Karean . Clean, Green and Blue: Singapore's Journey Towards Environmental and Water Sustainability . 75– . 2009 . Institute of Southeast Asian Studies . 9789812308610 .
  4. Web site: Labrador Nature Reserve . National Parks Board . June 4, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140502111550/http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=naturereserves&id=48&Itemid=75 . May 2, 2014 .
  5. Book: Stroud, David A. . Waterbirds Around the World: A Global Overview of the Conservation, Management and Research of the World's Waterbird Flyways . 343– . 2006 . The Stationery Office . 9780114973339 .
  6. Book: Travel Singapore: Illustrated Travel Guide, Phrasebook, and Maps . 239– . MobileReference . MobileReference . 2007 . 9781605010151 .
  7. Book: Tribe, John . Fortest tourism and recreation: case studies in environmental management . 10– . 2000 . CABI . 9781845933036 .
  8. Book: Alagappa, Muthiah . Civil Society And Political Change In Asia: Expanding And Contracting Democratic Space . 341– . 2004 . Stanford University Press . 9780804750974 .