Mandai at risk?

Straits Times 25 Nov 07

MANDAI to Singaporeans is the zoo. It's also the home of the Night Safari, one of the most creative tourism products offered in years.

For those who haven't swung by this neck of the woods in the north, be advised that Mandai is special. The forest canopy of a deep green, the body of water that hugs its contours and the hush of the place altogether make for an alcove happily at odds with urban Singapore. The air is sweet. Even the light has a clarity that is a delight to photography enthusiasts.

The Singapore Tourism Board is intending to have interested parties bid for a large slice of this arbour to develop into a sort of showcase for eco-tourism. Ideas will be solicited from the trade.

The probability is that country lodges, hiking trails, health spas, kayaking and of course chomp-chomp places will be proposed.

The Nature Society is aghast. It is sure the eco-balance will be upset. The Government will have a fight on its hands as the green lobby is tenacious and has growing public support.

The economic argument usually holds sway in Singapore. But respect for nature and the environment, which goes hand in hand with a nation's affluence, is also gaining ground.

It has to come down to this: If the eventual proposals turn out to be humdrum, leave Mandai well alone. It's not worth cutting up the place (30ha, say the project papers) to accommodate businesses that will flop.

Once the flora and fauna are disturbed, it is hard to regenerate them.

The advance publicity does not sound terribly persuasive. It would make commercial sense to think up instead more new attractions and displays at the zoo and the Night Safari. These are known brands to international travellers.

Those who plump for eco-tourism in the region will think of the Philippines and Malaysia, perhaps Thailand too.

Singapore? It should play to its strengths in designing urban attractions.

RELATED LINKS

Do we need another nature-themed attraction?
NO: Nature Society thinks it will cause greater damage to nature reserve
Lim Wei Chean, Straits Times 22 Nov 07

YES: A nature escape will add to Singapore's attraction as a tourist destination, say travel agents
30ha of greenery in Mandai has been set aside for a new attraction near the Zoo and Night Safari, and the idea is already drawing varied reactions
Lim Wei Chean, Straits Times 22 Nov 07;

Mandai: a repeat of the losses at Bukit Timah Nature Reseve
due to over-development? and more thoughts on the nature scouter blog

Nature Society expresses concerns about plans for Mandai
Lim Wei Chean, Straits Times 21 Nov 07;

Mandai to be turned into Asia's top nature spot
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