Mature trees, some about 80 years old, line Singapore's Heritage Roads
tay suan chiang Straits Times Life 16 Apr 11;
Arcadia, in the European Renaissance tradition, is an idyllic, wild paradise.
A recent bid to save an ageing condominium here of the same name highlights the possibility of paradise lost. But the case also makes it timely to revisit the decade-long Heritage Roads scheme and how to get more out of it.
Last week, the 33-year-old Arcadia condominium off Adam Road was in the news after its residents' application to extend its lease was rejected by the Singapore Land Authority.
The residents plan to appeal. If they succeed, on environmental and heritage grounds, it will be a first in local history.
Indeed, their estate is literally surrounded by green heritage. It is in Arcadia Road, a 1km-long stretch that is one of five designated Heritage Roads in Singapore (see map).
The scheme was initiated by the National Parks Board (NParks) in 2001 to conserve some of the more scenic and significant tree-lined roads in Singapore.
Trees along such roads cannot be felled and no development is allowed within a 10m-wide buffer. Existing private landowners are exempt from this requirement but subsequent new owners are not.
The other four are Mount Pleasant Road, Mandai Road, South Buona Vista Road and Lim Chu Kang Road. All five roads were picked from a list of 55 drawn up by NParks.
Drive along each of this quintet of avenues, under the lush canopies, and you cannot help but feel serene.
Some of the trees found on these stretches include mature raintrees along Arcadia and Mandai Roads, a 30m-tall Burmese Banyan tree in Mount Pleasant Road, Broad Leaf Mahogany trees along Lim Chu Kang Road and Silver Backs and rubber trees along South Buona Vista Road.
Those with a keen eye will spot monkeys and squirrels darting among them.
Mr Goh Si Guim, an executive committee member at the Nature Society Singapore, says birds such as Pink-necked Pigeons, Yellow-vented Bulbuls and the Common Iora can be spotted in these areas.
'Look out for rustling in the leaves and listen for their melodious calls,' he says, adding that the birds are most active from sunrise to 10am.
Freelance magazine writer Nasreen Ramnath, who lives in the condominium Hillcrest Arcadia, also in Arcadia Road, often jogs along that road.
'The trees form a beautiful canopy and I'm proud to live on a Heritage Road,' she says. In her four years as a resident there, she has seen squirrels and kingfisher birds.
Arcadia and South Buona Vista Roads are easiest to walk on as there are pavements on the side. Mr Goh recommends taking along binoculars if bird-watching.
Cars and lorries tend to whizz by on Mandai, Lim Chu Kang and Mount Pleasant Roads, which do not make them safe for walking.
NParks manager Joey Gan says the best way to enjoy the charm of these Heritage Roads is by car. 'You feel like you're driving along a green wall.'
He also recommends going to the roads on weekends, when there is less traffic.
MANDAI ROAD
Starts from Upper Seletar Reservoir carpark and ends at the junction with Mandai Avenue
Rows of mature raintrees flank this 1km stretch. Stop by the carpark to enjoy a view of Upper Seletar Reservoir on one side and the lush greenery of a secondary forest on the opposite.
LIM CHU KANG ROAD
Starts from the junction with Ama Keng Road, and ends at the junction with Sungei Gedong Road
This 1.8km-stretch of Lim Chu Kang Road has been gazetted as a Heritage Road to retain the lush vegetation and the kampung ambience of bygone days.
True enough, with no houses on either side, the road makes you feel as if you have entered a forest.
Rows of Broad Leaf Mahogany trees, one of Singapore's 10 most common trees, line the road. These mature trees are easily identified by their peeling bark.
MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD
Starts from the junction with Denham Road and ends at the Pan Island Expressway slip road
This 1.3km road curves its way through the hill that gives it its name. Among the plants here are mature saga trees, fish tail palms and old rubber trees.
There is also a 30m-tall Burmese Banyan tree, which is likely to be more than 80 years old. Located by the side of 162 Mount Pleasant Road, it is hard to miss.
Dotting the road are black-and-white houses. Built for Police Force officers and their families in colonial times, these are now managed by serviced residence provider The Ascott.
SOUTH BUONA VISTA ROAD
Starts from the junction with Stockport Road, and ends at the junction with Vigilante Drive
This 1km-long road is also known by a Hokkien nickname meaning '99 turns' because of its many curves.
The trees found here include Silver Backs, Acacia, Penaga Laut and Kelat Nenasi.
Spot the seeds from rubber trees on the ground - they have a marbled look, similar to quails' eggs.
