Back to the Nature! SBWR

Do you know that there is a 130 hectares wetland site in Singapore?

Over the long weekend (due to Hari Raya Puasa and Singapore's National Day), I dragged my family to visit Sungai Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR), a home to a multitude of wetland flora and fauna. 

According to SBWR, more than 35% of the world's mangroves are already gone. In Singapore, mangrove forest cover has been reduced from an estimated 13% in the 1820's to less than 0.5% of the total land area today.

So, I thought: Must go before it's gone!

There is three boardwalk trails for us to walk through the Reserve. Route 1 is a 1-2 hours walk and a good spot for catching sight of migratory birds. Apparently, to see a demonstration of traditional prawn harvesting, we have to take Route 2, approximately 2-3 hours. The longest walk goes along Route 3 through the freshwater habitat. 

We only managed to complete Route 1 (3km, according to the guide). We were pretty late (11+am) upon our arrival, and it took us almost two hours to complete the Route. Kids were hungry by then.

This was not the first time for me to walk into a mangrove forest. Several trips to Sungai Langat, Klang Selangor, and once in Brisbane, But it was first for the girls, first time learnt how distinct atmosphere created by the prop roots, buttress roots and pneumatophores. First time seeing these roots rise above the anaerobic mud, allowing the trees to breath and providing firm anchorage in the soft substrate. (extracted from Sungai Buloh Wetland Reserve)

Mangrove forests straddle the boundary between land and sea. They commonly occur along sheltered coastlines and river banks of the tropics. In this zone of tidal rhythms, shifting substrate and fluctuating salinity, grow a diverse group of trees and shrubs, similar only in their tolerance to salt water. - by Sungai Buloh Wetland Reserve

More about mangrove, here.

Bird-watching activities are popular here. There are Observation Screens placed along the broadwalks for visitors to look through as they pass by. But, kids were impatience to keep still behind the screen even for just few seconds. In the end, no bird observatory.

After much research online(while writing this post), I believe that we met Malayan Water Monitor Lizard.

Tell me, if this is not.

We went up to Aerie Hide, an 18 metres tall (or 72 steps of staircase) tower offers panaromic view of the wetland reserve.

The view is breathtaking!

They got tired at the last stretch of the walk, daddy came to rescue! 

On our way back to Main Hide, we met Mr Scurry Away. It must be our lucky day to meet him. 

The big girl didn't want to come, at first. She did complaint a little along the walk, but not too bad. I reckon the weather helped a fair bit, it was a morning after a shower rain (hence the sky in my pictures is gloomy).

All in all, I'm glad we had a great day to enjoy the tranquility and serenity of mangrove habitat. Not to mention, learn more of the constant effort of Singapore to reserve the mangroves forest. In a wholly urbanised city, we still have the chance to experience the marvels of tropical nature that is supposed to be part of our natural heritage, I am truly marvelled. 

Nature is a great source of wonder and curiosity. While putting up this post, I continue do more reading online and understand more of the importance of mangroves.

Despite Singapore's highly urbanised environment and land constraints, we have been able to conserve a good variety of biodiversity across various ecosystems such as the lowland tropical forest, mangroves, freshwater swamp forest, seagrass beds, mudflats and coral reefs.  This has been made possible through the balanced and pragmatic approach towards economic development, while recognising the importance of environmental protection. - from NPark.

Come to think about it, this may be one of the best way to learn about the origin of Singapore.

Opening Hours:

• 7.30 am- 7.00 pm, Monday to Saturday
• 7.00 am- 7.00 pm, Sunday and Public Holidays

Admission

• Free on weekdays, 
• Charge S$1.00 per adult and S$0.50 per child above 3, as well as senior citizen on Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays and School Holidays.

This is a great place from escaping the hustle and bustle of city life, even commercialism. Free parking, by the way.

My discovery of tranquil side of Singapore is linked up with