Title:

To BTNR or not to BTNR ?

An assessment of the current management of BTNR and improvements of its Park Planning and conservation efforts
Jegendren Tanapal ( U080323E)

LSM 3255
ECOLOGY OF TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS

U080323E JEGENDREN TANAPAL To BTNR or not to BTNR ? INTRODUCTION

Bukit Timah is a symbol, a manifestation of our collective national psyche, of our commitment to making this city state a better place (Lum, 1996). It would be more accurate to state that Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR) is a symbol of what Singapore could have been like 193 years before the onset of colonial rule. The destructive nature of nation building has seen the disappearance of our forests, flora and fauna fighting for existence in our urban jungle. Can BTNR survive the next half a century or will it fade with time just as other landmarks of Singapore? CHALLENGES OF BTNR TODAY With an area of 164 ha, which includes a core area of 70 ha, it is composed of both primary and secondary forest.Clearance of vegetation at the edge of the forest not only causes a drying effect but also exposes the tall trees to the effect of strong winds (Waller, 2001). In addition to the damming of the jungle streams during the early colonial day and drainage pipes which are installed throughout the reserve have served well in reducing the mosquito population. However these have caused serve drying out all over the forest. This is clearly observed by the dry soil which is visually brown,unlike other green forest floors. The drying effect has affected BTNRs primary pollinators, the birds. The avifaunas of BTNR are predominately understorey brids. Despite having several species of Sunbirds and flowerpeckers have remained abundant but there is no clear evidence that they are pollinators (LaFrankie et al.,2005). Frugivores such as Hornbills, parrots and pigeons are the most significant seed dispersers that have been lost from BTNR. This sets the cycle of decline of the forest growth. Mammals are also important pollinators, bats for example pollinate only certain families and genera of trees such as Parkia (Fabaceae), durians (Malvaceae) and numerous species of trees outside of BTNR. Most are found in the abandoned ammunitions stores. Even so, Corlett (2009) highlights that most pollination in BTNR appears to be general, mammals such as the Singapore Rat and the Long-tailed Macaques which have evidently seen an increase in population from 4 troops of 80 individuals in 1986 to 34 troops of 850 individuals (LaFrankie et al.,2005). Unfortunately, the loss of habitats through the construction of BKE has cost the extinction BTNRs rare and exotic species of animals such as the Greater Mouse Deer and flying fox. PARK PLANNING AND PROTECTION To many Singaporeans the BTNR would appear as an uncleared land and an usual park visited during the weekends for a jog or a trek. While for policy makers it is a lock up of natural resources and foreclosed for future development opportunities (Pearce, 2010). It has been done before in the case of the BKE (1986) and it can be done again in the future. In any case, plants and animals and associated ecological processes fail to recognise the boundaries of a nature reserve. A lot of biodiversity still remains outside the protected area estate. The concept of a 164 ha locked away in a country, where human demands

U080323E JEGENDREN TANAPAL To BTNR or not to BTNR ?

on the land are great, would mean greater effort required to sustain BTNR into the next century. Therefore, Nparks is under pressure in balancing the needs of the naturalist and people. There are a variety of trails to the top of the hill which disperses the visitors so that the less intrepid keep to the tarmac road whilst the naturalists explore BTNR via smaller paths (Waller, 2001)., at the cost of scaring the hill. Within BTNR, huts, benches and signage made from toughen wood elements attempt to integrate into environment but echo the theme of parks throughout Singapore. The Visitor Center is a clear attempt to educate the visitors, whose numbers have increased from 78,000 in 1987 to 140,000 in 1996 (Waller, 2001).However, the management is understaffed to deal with the rising visitor numbers or supervise them with the reserve during the weekends BTNRs serenity is routinely disturbed by the helicopters which fly over the reserve and the BKEs traffic, which also emit high levels of carbon dioxide have impacts on Singapores humidity and rainfall which is 2000 mm yr which is 17% less than mean annual total of 2384 mm yr received in the center of the Island in1991 (LaFrankie et al., 2005). Developments around and in BTNR have taken an unprecedented increase of condominiums and luxury apartments. As Singaporeans flock to live close to nature, the hill is now surrounded by high rise buildings. The construction work and attempts to keep out insects via fogging has led to greater pollution. Attempts to manage these issues have come in the form of the Singapore Green Plan in 1993, for instance the heavily used trails were closed to visitors for restoration (LaFrankie et al.,2005) and educational campaigns were carried out to inform public how to enjoy the forest while minimizing the damage caused by erosion, litter and feeding of the macaques. SOLUTIONS Even with the Green Plan , the BTNRs management is far from perfect. Instead, whats needed is an approach that finds ways to enable people and nature to co-exist. In order to ensure BTNRs sustainability it is a possible to convert it into a restricted like Mai Po reserve at Hong Kong (Waller,2001).In Mai Po, visitors are required to register for a visitation permit online before coming down and those who arrive without registering can only take part in guided tours which are to be conducted during selected time of the month. To facilitate the guided tours in BTNR, more staff must be hired. This allows BTNR to manage the visitor capacity and minimize increase of path width which can affect the microclimate by increasing heat and edge effect (Waller,2001). All management plans must consider the impacts of new paths or constructing new infrastructure, which may disturb the ambience of the reserve. Hence I would propose an idea of a canopy rope walk giving access to rarely witnessed above the ground level experience and a suspended tree top walkway that will prevent scaring of the forest floor by trails. Air pollution reduction plans must be implemented at BTNR so that forest and wildlife may thrive better. Air quality measurement programme should be in place to take monthly readings. Regional haze, carbon

U080323E JEGENDREN TANAPAL To BTNR or not to BTNR ?

emissions from vehicles and helicopters create sooty air that reduces visibility, harms trees and animals. For a 94 km distance the helicopter will burn about 64 liters of fuel whereas the van will burn just over 20 liters, which means it emits three times the amount of carbon emissions (Pster, 2007). Therefore I suggest the rerouting of helicopters away from BTNR. Also, helicopters cause noise pollution, elevated noise levels can create stress on mammals affecting their behaviour and may result in human attacks or decline in population. Strict policies have to be implemented to reduce the height of installations of apartments around the BTNR. The policies should also dictate the amount of construction that should take place within and around BTNR. The police observation tower at the top of the hill and the pylons should be relocated (Waller, 2001) as they pose a lightning threat. The new proposed Eco-Link is an attempt in re-establishing the gene pool which was once lost from the Central Catchment Area in 1986 through the BKE construction. The S$26.3 million Eco-Link is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, Singapore hopes to emulate the success in Holland. However, one hopes that the ecological benefit outweighs the ecology cost of construction. For recreational purposes, the former caves of the Japanese munitions at Boundary Path could be allowed to serve as enclosed observation platform at the side of Hindhede Quarry. They could also serve as bat observation points in Singapore. I propose a board walk over the Singapore quarry to explore the ecology of the abandoned quarry and study the effects of the quarrying on the ecology the forest, it would be an opportunity to convert a blemish into benefit. These additions are critical in educating the public on the importance of BTNR and its significance to Singapore. Singaporeans often soak themselves in the elaborate theme parks and shopping complexes, which are built in almost every corner and every year, but they must realise BTNR is indispensible and cannot be constructed. It is a product nearly two centuries of conservation and efforts by Singaporeans themselves. REFERENCES Shawn Lum and Ilsa Sharp (1996) A View from the Summit: The Story of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve . Singapore University Press Corlett, R.T. (2009) The Ecology of Tropical East Asia. Oxford University Press, Oxford. LaFrankie, J.V., Davies, S.J., Wang,, L.K., Lee, S.K. & Lum, S.K.Y. (2005) Forest Trees of Bukit Timah: Population Ecology in a Tropical Forest Fragment. Simply Green, Singapore Fred Pearce (2010) Why Africas National Parks Are Failing to Save Wildlife. Retrieved on Jan,20th 2012. http://e360.yale.edu/feature/why_africas_national_parks_are_failing_to_save_wildlife/2231/ Waller, Edmund. (2001) Landscape planning in Singapore / Edmund Waller. Singapore University Press, National University of Singapore Pablo Pster (2007) What About http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/2353 Helicopter Emissions? Jan 21st 2012.

U080323E JEGENDREN TANAPAL To BTNR or not to BTNR ?