What about those with the more adventurous streak? Perhaps hiking at our nature reserves would suit your fancy. Singapore is home to 4 natures reserves, the largest one being the central catchment nature reserves that spans 2880 hectares. Situated right in the center of our country, this nature reserve is the City’s green lungs, supplying our country with fresh oxygen. It also serves as a catchment area for our 4 main reservoirs (Mac Ritchie, Upper Seletar, Upper Pierce and Lower Peirce) to provide us with a fresh supply of water. Nature reserves are densely populated with vegetation which promotes rainfall. This helps us beat the Singapore heat!
Map of the reserve (left), Aerial view of the reserve(right)
Much of our primary forest is gone, what is left of it can be found mainly in the Central Catchment nature reserve and Bukit Timah nature reserve. A unique type of habitat, known as the Primary freshwater swamp forest is a rare forest type that can be found in the Central Catchment nature reserve. Due to human activities much of these habitats have been converted for other uses and only a small region of it has been successfully preserved in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest.
Nee Soon Swamp Forest: Photographer Chow Khoon Yeo, source
Come and explore these forested areas rich in biodiversity, home to over 500 species of animals such as the Banded leaf monkey, the lesser mousedeer as well as the Sunda Pangolin! These mammals are native to Singapore and if you’re lucky you might get a glimpse of them on your hiking trips. Additionally, the central catchment nature reserve is an important site for the conservation of the banded leaf monkey. Threatened by urbanization, these species are on the brink of extinction here in Sngapore. The last remaining population of these monkeys now reside in the nature reserve. An ecological study was conducted by the National Biodiversity Centre to understand these species and implement management plans for their long term conservation.
Image created by blog author, Isabelle Lim. Photographs: Banded leaf monkey, Lesser mousedeer, Sunda Pangolin
If you would like to experience the beauty of the reserve, then take a hike along the nature trails. Aside from enjoying the scenic view, you experience the health benefits of hiking which include: Improved cardiovascular health, lowered blood pressure, strengthened muscles in core and legs and lastly a reduction in stress and anxiety levels.
The reserve is opened daily from 7am to 7pm with over a dense network of hiking trials and boardwalks spanning 20km, that connects visitors to even the most remote parts of the forest. Listed below are 3 hiking trials that you can embark on today!
- Prunus Trial at the MacRitchie Boardwalks
- Chemperai Trail at the MacRitchie Boardwalks
- Walking Trail at the Treetop walk
Image created by blog author, Isabelle Lim