NParks and South West CDC unveil Singapore's longest green corridor

Channel NewsAsia 16 Feb 14;

SINGAPORE: More than 20 corporate and community partners are joining in an effort to green up Tengah Nature Way and bring biodiversity closer to the neighbourhood.

They include Yuhua Zone 5 RC, NatSteel and Almukminin Mosque, which have committed to grow plants that attract birds and butterflies within their premises or on allocated plots of land.

The community gardens will help create a green route for the birds and butterflies to travel between the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve and the Western Catchment (SAFTI Live-Firing Area).

The 13km-long green route is currently Singapore's longest green corridor.

The project was unveiled on Sunday by National Parks Board (NParks) and South West Community Development Council (CDC).

Mayor of the South West District Amy Khor said: "We are happy to promote and complement the Tengah Nature Way project by providing seed funding of S$3,000 per garden for the setting up of up to 20 community gardens around the vicinity of the Tengah Nature Way."

"This will enhance the biodiversity as well as the fauna and flora of the area and further improve the quality of the living environment in the South West District."

As part of the launch event, some 400 residents from the South West District took part in a guided walk of the Tengah Nature Way, where they could learn more about the flora and fauna along the green corridor.

The walk is also part of "Project ENGAGE", a ground-up effort by students of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to encourage active ageing through nature-related activities such as brisk walking and gardening.

Dr Khor added: "The Tengah Nature Way and the community gardens will together become community nodes for residents to enjoy nature, exercise as well as interact thus helping to form stronger bonds among residents."

Tengah Nature Way is one of three recently created Nature Ways, bringing the total length of the green corridors in Singapore to 38km.

The other two new nature ways are in Punggol and Tanglin.

- CNA/ac