SINGAPORE: Singapore may be known as a thriving modern city, but it is also home to a diverse, rich ecosystem. 

In January, the National Parks Board (NParks) announced a 10-year action plan to strengthen Singapore’s rainforests and facilitate regeneration in secondary forests in buffer nature parks.

Additionally, more green spaces will be introduced across the island and a series of new park connectors and trails will make these areas more accessible than ever.

If you’re looking for an adventure in nature or a mere change in scenery, away from the bustling cityscape, you may want to plan a visit to these new and upcoming sites.

COAST TO COAST (C2C) TRAIL

Opened on Mar 30, this trail stretches from Jurong Lake Gardens in the west to Coney Island Park in the north-east.

The 36km trek will see you traverse parks and nature areas such as the Bukit Batok Nature Park, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and Jurong Lake Gardens.

Some highlights of the trail include Adam Road Food Centre, Punggol Waterway Park’s Adventure Bridge and the upcoming water facilities at the Jurong Lake Gardens. And you’ll be happy to note that are also numerous shelters and restrooms along the way. 

Visitors can choose to follow NParks’ trail guide or download the Coast to Coast (C2C) app, NPark’s first augmented reality (AR) app, to explore the parks and nature areas with a DIY trail guide.

Using the AR scanning mode at various checkpoints will launch 3D animated animal characters that gives visitors information on the native flora and fauna that can be found along the trail, as well as surrounding places of interest.

Additionally, visitors can take part in activities within the app to earn points, which can be used to redeem rewards such as F&B vouchers, products and services.

RIFLE RANGE NATURE PARK

Located south of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, this 67ha park will serve as a buffer to reduce edge effects on the nature reserve, as well as an alternative venue for visitors to connect with nature.

A ramble through this forest habitat may see you chancing upon its eclectic inhabitants – native fauna species such as the Sunda pangolin and Horsfield’s flying squirrel can be found here. Crabs, frogs, fish and snakes can also be seen in the streams.

Restoration works on habitats in the park began in January this year, to be completed in 2020. 

As part of the Forest Restoration Action Plan, the regenerating secondary rainforests will be “enhanced with native plants to improve the habitat for native biodiversity in the area”, said NParks in a press release.

To help animals cross to neighbouring parks safely and aid their chances of long-term survival, aerial rope bridges and underground culverts will be installed across Rifle Range Road. Nest-boxes for flying squirrels will also be set up as part of habitat enhancement works.

In addition to these, the former Sin Seng Quarry will be restored. 

This is to allow visitors to learn more about Singapore’s native biodiversity, said NParks. Visitors will be able to access the quarry via an elevated walkway, which will be “sensitively implemented”, the authority added.

Existing trails will also be improved to stop soil erosion and compaction. Designated trails will be bordered by railings to discourage visitors from straying away. Doing so can help prevent footpath widening into the forest, as well as minimise soil impaction on tree roots and trampling on leaf litter organisms.

RAIL CORRIDOR

If heritage sites interest you, take a walk along the 24km Rail Corridor, which runs from Woodlands in the north to Tanjong Pagar in the south.

Enhancement works on the railway will be completed in phases by 2021, starting with Rail Corridor (Central), located between the Hillview and King Albert Park MRT stations on the Downtown Line.

This area is known for lush natural landscapes and elements of rich wildlife heritage.

Following the handover of the railway land to Singapore authorities in 2011, the Urban Redevelopment Authority has been collecting feedback from the community on how it could be improved to suit their needs.

A number of landmarks along the trail, including the Bukit Timah Railway Station, have been gazetted for conservation. 

The railway station will be converted into a heritage gallery and visitor centre, while an F&B outlet will be housed at the nearby station master’s quarters. Railway artefacts will also be restored and adapted for reuse.

Want more than just a nice selfie along the tracks? The railway can also be used for activities such as learning journeys, heritage walks and nature walks.

Here you can also find a diverse cast of animals, from birds such as the Sunda Scops Owl and Laced Woodpecker to pangolins.

Flora complementing the existing vegetation around the nearby Bukit Timah Nature Reserve will also be planted on the Rail Corridor (Central)’s landscape.  Additionally, habitats of existing flora and fauna will be enhanced to create an environment that would help them thrive.

MANDAI MANGROVE AND MUDFLAT

Bird watchers will want to break out their gear and make a stop at this upcoming site, located about 3km east of Sungei Buloh Wildlife Reserve.

Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat is one of the richest wetlands in Singapore, and one of the few mangrove habitats left in Singapore with an extensive mudflat exposed at low tide. 

In 2018, NParks announced that it will be conserved as a nature park that will act as an outdoor education, learning and research centre. This is slated to open in mid-2022.

According to NParks, this site is home to 20 mangrove plant species, of which 16 is threatened, as well as threatened species of seagrass and horseshoe crabs.

Visitors can expect to see migratory shorebirds feed on the diverse and abundant supply of mollusks, crustaceans and worms found on the mudflat.

To minimise impact on the mudflat, visitor amenities at the site will be kept to a minimum. These include bicycle racks, a nature trail and bird hides, which will be strategically placed so that visitors can watch these migratory birds without disturbing them.

The 72.8ha nature park is ecologically linked to the wildlife reserve. These two sites, together with the Kranji Marshes, safeguard a variety of complementary wetland habitats to strengthen the conservation of wetland biodiversity in north-western Singapore, said NParks. 

These habitats include mangroves, freshwater marshes and mudflats.

NParks added that it will “sensitively provide opportunities for research and education” in the park, to allow visitors to learn more about the biodiversity in the wetland and to play a part in its conservation.

As part of the upcoming Round Island Route (RIR) and Rail Corridor, the park will be accessible to users exploring both routes. 

Those keen to explore more of the area can make their way along the RIR, as the park will be located at a section designated as an eco-discovery corridor. This corridor highlights lesser known ecological locations in Singapore.

ROUND ISLAND ROUTE

Ever wanted to walk from one end of Singapore to another?

The Round Island Route (RIR) is a continuous park connector that goes around the island. It will link existing sites and provide opportunities for recreational activities such as cycling, jogging and skating, said NParks. This, it added, will enhance the “City in a Garden” experience for residents.

The 150km route was conceptualised in 2011, after members of the public suggested a green corridor that goes around Singapore that will link parks and park connectors. The next year, plans to develop the route were announced.

On Mar 30, NParks launched Rower’s Bay, part of the route’s first phase of works. Rower’s Bay features a wetland, lookout pavilion and a boardwalk.

Three heritage trees and a shelter with charging points are located along a 3km path connecting this area to Seletar Aerospace Park. When completed by 2020, this phase will connect Rower’s Bay to Gardens by the Bay via Changi Beach Park and East Coast Park.

By the following year, another 60km of paths between Rower’s Bay and Gardens by the Bay will be connected, making a loop of 120km. Part of this will run along the upcoming Rail Corridor.

The RIR is expected to be progressively fully completed by 2035.

SINGAPORE: If you want the chance to really stretch your legs in Singapore, the new 36-kilometre Coast-to-Coast (C2C) Trail could be just what you’re looking for.

Launched by NParks last week, the trail links Jurong Lake with Coney Island, taking in a variety of parks and nature areas along the way. 

But what is it like to undertake this long walk? Beautiful or boring? Tiring or terrific? I was given the job of road-testing the trail to help you decide if putting in the hard effort is worth it.

READ: NParks launches 36km trail linking Coney Island with Jurong Lake

For such a long walk, preparation is key. I gathered a hydration pack with a 2-litre capacity and three granola bars. My pack also included a cap, batteries for my GoPro and an extra water bottle. With that (and a good night’s sleep), I was ready. 

THE BEGINNING: 7.3KM FROM CHINESE GARDEN TO BUKIT BATOK NATURE PARK

I began the journey at Chinese Garden at 10am, with my original plan of leaving at 7am being scrapped by an early morning thunderstorm. As I walked my first trail steps, the beautiful twin pagodas on Jurong Lake created a pleasing view amid all the construction, with their tangerine tiling and white concrete walls standing out from the greenery. 

From the relative peace and quiet of Jurong Lake, I made my way to the busy metropolis of Jurong East.

Being a multi-line MRT and bus interchange, Jurong East was buzzing with action and people. It was far-removed from being a charming nature spot, but walking through the area as a sightseer rather than a busy commuter allowed me to experience its charms in a different way. 

Proceeding on to Bukit Batok Nature Park, I went through several highway underpasses. These underbellies of Singapore were mostly damp and dark, with few signs of life except a few pigeons who seemed to eye me with suspicion as if they felt I was intruding on their territory.

Traffic rumbled overhead, loud enough to occasionally startle the pigeons into life before settling again.

After the urban sprawl of Jurong East, Bukit Batok Nature Park was a pleasant contrast.

I was greeted by the sight of tall, slender trees with roosters crowing a cheery welcome. However, following the NParks C2C app meant that I had to go around the park instead of through it to get to my checkpoint: Beauty World.

Reaching Beauty World at around 1pm, there was one thing on my mind: Lunch. I decided to take a pit-stop at the nearby eatery Al Azhar, before carrying on.

CARRYING ON: 7.4KM FROM BEAUTY WORLD TO MACRITCHIE RESERVOIR

As the day wore on, the grey clouds and damp air changed into clear blue skies and a scorching hot environment. Not the most pleasant walking conditions on those stretches of the trail with little shade and not much to see.

Still, I powered on.

The path from Botanic Gardens to MacRitchie was more or less a straightforward 7.4km march stretching into central Singapore.

Compared with the early part of the trail, the trip from Beauty World to MacRitchie did not hold much appeal, with long, hot stretches of road, old-fashioned tyre sellers and nondescript semi-detached houses.  

However, things changed about 3km away from the reservoir when I reached Bukit Brown Cemetery. All of a sudden, the trail went quiet and not a single car passed by. Even at 5pm in the afternoon, the atmosphere was a little eerie. 

As it was edging close to sundown, I trotted along. 

The trail started to get a little more attractive as I approached MacRitchie Reservoir. Along with its captivating views, MacRitchie offered some wildlife to keep me company, with frolicking monkeys and colourful birds.

There were lots of people enjoying the reservoir too. There were canoeists in bright orange vests paddling furiously in red canoes, shouting “left, right, left” as they powered through the dark, green water.

Families had also gathered for picnics, despite it being a weekday. Toddlers played on the grass while parents and grandparents enjoyed their food in the cooler late afternoon air.    

After the beautiful views at MacRitchie, I proceeded on to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. By then, the buildings along Bishan were being given a soft glow from the evening sun. This was a pleasing contrast to the crowded roads, where peak hour traffic was creating a constant din.

The stretch to my next destination was a lengthy one, and by the time I reached it, it was about 7pm. With about another 15km to go to complete the trail, I decided to continue the next day. 

DAY 2: PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF

The next day, I returned to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park at 12.40pm, giving myself the afternoon to finish the trail. 

For this stretch, I was heading to Sengkang. Along the path, it was much hotter than the day before. With the sun beating down, walking conditions were not pleasant.

Ang Mo Kio seemed huge. Even after walking for an hour-and-a-half, through the nearby Town Garden and Linear Park, I still found myself within its sprawl and was beginning to question whether I was lost. Then suddenly I reached Sengkang Riverside Park and I knew I was still on the right track. 

And at that moment, I realised how important the NParks C2C app was to complete the trail, as there were tricky stretches when the guiding posters were quite far apart from each other. But as helpful as it was, there were some moments when I got a little lost because of the App’s limited navigation features.

But to those who want to give this trail a try, I would suggest downloading it as it at least points you broadly in the right direction.

THE LAST STRETCH TO CONEY ISLAND

Back to Sengkang, and its Riverside Park provided a great view of Sungei Punggol, with emerald green water guiding me through the northeast of Singapore. 

After walking through the tranquil greenery by the river for quite some time, signs of another neighbourhood started to appear, with highways, grey and white high-rise buildings, and LRT tracks popping up as I walked.

Not long after, the pathway from Riverside Park connected me to beautiful Punggol Waterway Park. In comparison to the other parks, this offers visitors larger, more open space. The bridges, wide expanses of water and play areas made it very appealing.

With a stream in the middle that runs through the entire park, coupled with a stunning view of the Singaporean skyline, the park was a highlight of the trail.

At that point in time, I hurriedly picked up the pace, as it was about 6pm and also because I was less than 2km away from the trail’s final destination:  Coney Island. I wanted to get there before sunset.

Its tall and slender trees stood on the horizon, with calm seawater separating it from Waterway Park.

I continued on for the final 400m. Cyclists and runners went by, blasting workout music as they got on with their lives. And for me, it was good to reach the green gates of Coney Island.

I had finished the trail.

With the sun setting in the background, I was pleased to have completed the 36km walk across Singapore. While some stretches were definitely much nicer than others, overall the hike was worth it. 

I saw some parts of Singapore I had never visited before. And for those areas I was more familiar with, experiencing them as a hiker rather than a commuter or shopper let me see them in a fresh light.

The sweat and sore legs were a small price to pay.

SINGAPORE: Hiring in-house cooks to prepare meals for pre-school children is the preferred option as it is cleaner and healthier, said childcare centres CNA spoke to.  

It is an issue that has come under the spotlight recently after a spate of food poisoning cases at 13 PCF Sparkletots centres, which affected 251 people, including 12 members of staff.

The outbreak has been traced to the consumption of food prepared by Kate’s Catering, which has had 30 years of experience as caterers.

READ: All PCF Sparkletots pre-schools to use in-house cooks following food poisoning outbreak

Of the three childcare centres CNA spoke to, St James Kindergarten (Gilstead Campus) uses a caterer. Mulberry Learning and Twinklekidz Playhouse (Toa Payoh) employ in-house cooks.

All three, however, agree that in-house cooking is preferred to using a caterer, as it allows the centre to have more control over the quality of food served. 

“We chose not to (cater food) in order to have proper control over the source and type of ingredients used, as well as the safety of the entire food preparation process,” said chief operating officer of Mulberry Learning Peh Yi Han.

“When it comes to food safety, there’s really no compromise, so we do what we can to ensure our children are given the best nutrition possible,” he added.

Other than following the Health Promotion Board’s prescribed meal guidelines, Mulberry Learning also works with qualified nutritionists from health and nutrition firm GNC to create its menus.

Twinklekidz Playhouse (Toa Payoh) principal Wendy Lee believes that catered food will not be able to provide for the individual needs of each childcare centre.

“Caterers have to be fast, while in-house cooks don’t have that issue of time,” she said, describing the catering process as “mass production”.

She also observed that parents generally indicated their preference for meals to be prepared in-house.

One of them is sales executive Paul Ong, father of a five-year-old who has been attending Mulberry Learning for three years.

“Catering will have additional costing,” he said. “Sometimes catering does not mean more clean.”

READ: 222 affected by gastroenteritis outbreak across 12 PCF Sparkletots centres

Human resources advisor Fanny Neo said she remains concerned about food safety and hygiene standards at her four-year-old son’s PCF Sparkletots pre-school, even though it was not affected by the recent food poisoning outbreak. 

“The food in school is very important from a nutritional standpoint and a health and safety standpoint,” she said, adding that in-house cooking is preferred as the food is “fresh” and there is a lower risk of it “getting sour”.

​​​​​​​At St James Kindergarten’s Gilstead Campus, principal Alison Wah said she has been sourcing for an in-house cook. The school had to cater food for students after its previous cook resigned.

It is difficult to find a replacement, she said, due to the workload of cooking for a centre with about 400 students.

“It’s definitely not easy (for the cooks) for the volume of children we have, as we are a big school,” she said. “The cook has to do the preparation and the washing of pots and utensils.”

At the moment, they are using two to three caterers on a trial basis, but have not settled on any one.

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday (Apr 5) that “unresolved” bilateral issues will be discussed in a “friendly manner”, when he meets Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in an upcoming leaders’ retreat.

“All of the things that are still unresolved, including the water problem, the central provident fund, the borderline with our waters – what is Singapore waters? what is Malaysia waters? – the flight over our area, who is going to control it,” he said when asked during a press conference on the agenda for the Apr 8 to 9 meeting.

“All these things will be discussed in a friendly manner. We are not going to confront them. But I believe that even Singapore understand(s) the need to revise the price of water,” Dr Mahathir added. 

During a meeting between Mr Lee and Dr Mahathir on Nov 12 last year, both sides expressed their differing views on the right to review the price of water under 1962 Water Agreement.

Singapore has been clear and consistent in its position that Malaysia has lost the right to review the price of water.

The 1962 Water Agreement, which expires in 2061, entitles Singapore to draw up to 250 million gallons a day (mgd) of water from the Johor River.

Singapore pays 3 sen per thousand gallons of raw water and sells treated water back to Johor at 50 sen per thousand gallons, a fraction of the cost of treating the water.

Johor is meanwhile entitled to a daily supply of treated water of up to 2 per cent or 5 mgd of the water supplied to Singapore. In practice, however, Singapore has been supplying 16 mgd of treated water to Johor at its request.

Malaysia has previously acknowledged that it chose not to ask for a review of the agreement in 1987 because it benefited from the pricing arrangement.

Last month, it was announced that the attorneys-general of Singapore and Malaysia will continue discussions to “better understand each other’s position” on the right to review the price of water.

READ: Singapore and Malaysia – The Water Issue

READ: Measures to de-escalate Singapore-Malaysia maritime tension first step in long journey: Vivian Balakrishnan

1MDB-LINKED FUNDS

Dr Mahathir was also asked if Malaysia was looking for more money linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to be repatriated from Singapore.

“We will have to depend on Singapore information. That money was given back after Singapore investigated,” he noted.

“Our job is to receive the money, of course, but to be sure that this money (is) coming from 1MDB. We cannot accept money that is not ours,” he added.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A day earlier, he said one reason why Putrajaya has managed to reduce national debt was due to the recovery of “quite a lot of money that was lost, that was kept by Singapore”. He did not give an exact figure.

READ: Malaysia’s debt now more manageable, but government may sell more assets: PM Mahathir

In 2016, Singapore authorities said they seized S$240 million in cash and properties as a result of investigations into 1MDB-related fund flows through Singapore

Last September, a Singapore court ordered the return of around S$15.3 million to Malaysia. The funds were to be transferred to a special 1MDB recovery account in Kuala Lumpur.

The annual leaders’ retreat was supposed to take place last November, but was postponed. This will be the first leaders’ retreat hosted by Pakatan Harapan after it came into power last May.

During the press conference on Friday, Dr Mahathir also announced Malaysia’s withdrawal from ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

SINGAPORE: An illegal shipment carrying nearly 13 tonnes of pangolin scales, worth S$52.3 million, was intercepted and seized by Singapore authorities on Wednesday (Apr 3).

It was the largest seizure of pangolin scales globally in five years, said the Singapore Customs and National Parks Board (NParks). Around 17,000 pangolins were killed to make up the shipment.

The shipment was also carrying 177kg of cut up and carved elephant ivory, worth US$88,500, said Singapore Customs and NParks in a news release on Thursday.

The haul, which was en route from Nigeria to Vietnam, was discovered in a 40-footer container at the Pasir Panjang Export Inspection Station. It was declared to contain frozen beef. 

The seizure was based on information received by Singapore Customs. 

The scales come from four pangolin species that are native to Africa, namely the White-Bellied Tree Pangolin, Black-Bellied Tree Pangolin, Temminck’s Ground Pangolin and Giant Ground Pangolin. 

Both pangolins and elephants are protected species and international trade in elephant ivory and pangolins are not allowed. 

Under the Endangered Species (Import & Export) Act, the maximum penalty for illegal import, export and re-export of wildlife is a fine of up to S$500,000 and two years’ imprisonment. 

The same penalties apply to transit or transhipment of illegal wildlife species, including their parts and derivatives. 

The scales and ivory pieces will be destroyed following the seizure.