50 native trees planted to kick-start greening of Eco-Link@BKE

To kick-start the greening of Eco-Link@BKE, representatives from government agencies and civil organisations came together on Saturday to plant 50 native trees at the site.
Monica Kotwani, Channel NewsAsia, 5 Oct 13;


Minister of State for National Development Mr Desmond Lee (R) and NParks CEO Mr Poon Hong Yuen, planting a tree at the Eco-Link@BKE. (Photo: NParks)

SINGAPORE: The seeds have been sown for a unique ecological bridge, the Eco-Link@BKE, that will connect two nature reserves in Singapore.

Staff and representatives from government agencies and civil organisations on Saturday planted 50 native trees at the bridge, which is described as the first of its kind in Singapore.

Greening of the connector is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The Eco-Link@BKE runs over and across the Bukit Timah Expressway.

National Parks Board (NParks) said the bridge will allow wildlife to move between the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves.

NParks said insects, butterflies and birds will make use of the bridge, and over time, animals like the pangolin, flying squirrel, palm civet and porcupine are expected to make use of the extension as well.

The crossing of wildlife will also benefit native plant species.

Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee said: “The BKE built in the 80s segmented two areas of wildlife and plant life, and it is hoped that with this eco-link bridge, we'll be able to see and record a growth in the various species that nature groups are concerned about.

“I think this represents at the symbolic level, a commitment by Singapore and Singaporeans to preserve what is precious about our biodiversity, because of itself and because of the importance of nature."

- CNA/ac/nd


Greening of first-of-its-kind eco-bridge starts
Animals such as the pangolin and porcupine are expected to use the bridge to move between two nature reserves
Today Online, 5 Oct 13;

SINGAPORE – To kick-start the greening of a first-of-its-kind eco-bridge, representatives from Government agencies and civil organisations came together this morning (Oct 5) to plant 50 native trees at the site.

Connecting two nature reserves over the Bukit Timah Expressway, the bridge, named Eco-Link@BKE, will allow wildlife to move between the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves. The S$16 million bridge is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The National Parks Board (NParks) said it expects insects, butterflies and birds to cross the bridge. As more wildlife gets used to Eco-Link@BKE, other animals like the pangolin, flying squirrel, palm civet and porcupine are expected to use the bridge as well.

Animal crossings are expected to benefit rare native plants, such as the Singapore Walking Stick Palm, which is pollinated and dispersed by animals.

NParks said that with the connector, an exchange of the palm’s genetic materials can be expected between the two nature reserves. That would reduce inbreeding and boost the chances of the plant’s survival.

Public access to Eco-Link@BKE will be restricted during the initial years to reduce human disturbance. However, NParks is working closely with nature groups to organise guided walks, where feasible, in the future.


Greening of wildlife bridge begins
Ian Poh, Straits Times, 6 Oct 13;

The "greening" phase of Eco-Link@BKE, a bridge built to allow wildlife, such as monkeys, to move between the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment area separated by the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE), has started.

About 80 people from nature groups, schools, non-government organisations and other agencies were on the 62m-long linkway yesterday to help plant trees.

They were also there to get a first look of the $16 million project developed by the National Parks Board (NParks) and Land Transport Authority. Construction on Eco-Link@BKE began in 2011. Native species of trees, shrubs and plants will gradually be introduced on and around the bridge to simulate a natural habitat, NParks said.

Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee, the guest of honour at the event, said the project "represents a commitment to preserving what is precious about our biodiversity". There was a lot of potential for future collaboration between government agencies, passionate volunteers and nature groups, he added.

The bridge is located about 600m north of Rifle Range Road, between the Pan-Island Expressway and Dairy Farm exits.

Wildlife is expected to be able to move between the two nature reserves by the end of this year, said NParks in a statement. Public access will be restricted during the initial years to reduce human disturbance.

Mr Tony O'Dempsey, a council member of the Nature Society (Singapore), said he was happy with the project coming together. "Nature groups have always been uncomfortable with the separation of the two reserves.

"The eco-bridge shows initiative on the part of the Government to promote biodiversity."


Greening of Eco-Link@BKE begins
Close partnership between government agencies and the community turns Eco-Link@BKE from vision to reality
NParks media release, 5 Oct 13;

Singapore, 5 October 2013– To kick-start the greening of Eco-Link@BKE, representatives from government agencies and non-governmental organisations came together this morning to plant 50native treesat the site. First of its kind in Singapore, the Eco-Link@BKE is an ecological bridge that connects two nature reserves over an expressway. Greening of Eco-Link@BKE is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

From the start of the project, nature groups, non-governmental organisations, tertiary institutions, schools, volunteers and government agencies have worked closely with the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to conduct feasibility studies and ecological monitoring surveys. The baseline data collected will be used as a comparison against the findings of future surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of Eco-Link@BKE.

“The tree-planting this morning represents the contributions of various stakeholders in making Eco-Link@BKE a reality. This project has brought together Singapore’s wildlife experts, nature enthusiasts, and government agencies in an unprecedented effort to connect two nature reserves. As we commemorate 50 Years of Greening Singapore in 2013, the development of Eco-Link@BKE shows us how Singapore’s City in a Garden vision can be achieved – through working in close partnership with the community. We want to express our sincere appreciation and thanks to all who have contributed to the project; we also look forward to the continued support and involvement of NGOs and volunteers for future surveys,” said NParks Chief Executive Officer, Mr Poon Hong Yuen.

Wildlife will be able to move between the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves by the end of the year. At the onset, NParks expects insects, butterflies and birds to cross the bridge. As more wildlife gets used to the Eco-Link@BKE, other animals like the pangolin, flying squirrel, palm civet and porcupine are expected to use the bridge as well.

Animal crossings will also benefit rare native plants. For example, the Singapore Walking Stick Palm (Rhapaloblaste singaporensis) is pollinated and dispersed by animals. With the Eco-Link@BKE, an exchange of the palm’s genetic materials can be expected between the two nature reserves. This will reduce the occurrence of inbreeding, and increase its chances of survival.

Public access to the Eco-Link@BKE will be restricted during the initial years to reduce human disturbance. NParks is working closely with nature groups to organise guided walks where feasible in the future.