The Straits Times, 16th February, 1999.
WE REFER to the feature, "Golf courses take up 2-1/2 AMK towns" (ST, Jan 23), and readers' responses to Safra's proposal for a golf course at Kranji Reservoir.
We have the following comments:
In principle, we are not against any further golf courses being set up in Singapore if the land availability permits and if it does not destroy or degrade a nature area. Since the exact location of Safra's project is undetermined, we are not in a position to make evaluative comments one way or another.
However, since Safra is looking for a possible site at Kranji, we would like to point out that the Kranji Marshes are designated as a "nature area" in the Singapore Green Plan (1993). As such, the marshes have significance for their wildlife and habitat, apart from scenic beauty. They have a wide variety of birdlife, with 118 species recorded at one particular locality alone -- at the PUB Bund Marsh. This is about 37 per cent of the total number of species found in Singapore.
Much more than this is expected in a more comprehensive survey. In particular, these marshes are important as a haven for marshland birds, species that are adapted specifically to wetland conditions, such as the herons, bitterns, rails and reed-warblers. Out of the 118 recorded so far, 38 are marshland species, resident as well as migrant.
These are also the haunt and breeding ground of the Grey Heron, the Purple Heron, the Cotton Pygmy Goose and the Purple Swamphen -- all locally-threatened species.
There were reports of estuarine crocodiles in the past, but it is uncertain whether they still exist there. It is likely that otters of the smooth species can also be found there, since there are plenty of fish in the reservoir and have been seen in Sungei Buloh Nature Park.
Unfortunately, like most of the other "nature areas" in the Green Plan, the size and boundaries of the Kranji Marshes are not delineated officially.
The Nature Society had submitted in its proposals to the relevant authorities clear-cut demarcation of certain parts of the marshes for conservation. However, developments have proceeded since the early 1990s, resulting in the destruction of a large heronry as well as an important portion of the marshes near the BBC towers for a national wireless transmission site. Subsequent developments, such as turning major tributaries into canals, have, over the years, curtailed the extent of the marshes further.
To avoid further loss of an important habitat for wildlife and scenic value, we have the following proposals:
Set aside as nature areas the following portions of the marshes: the PUB Bund Marsh, the Kadut Marsh and the Sungei Kangkar Marsh, together with buffer zones.
The land contiguous to these areas should be set aside for public parks so that harmony in land use is maintained for the sake of the wildlife and habitat.
Allow for a substantial green corridor to run round the whole reservoir to act as an unbroken pathway for wildlife as well as for recreational purposes such as hiking and cycling. What happened at Lower Seletar Reservoir, where golf courses abutted the edge of the water, preventing movement round the reservoir, should be avoided.
All the remaining rivers and streams should be left as they are as they are places where wildlife abounds. Turning these gentle rivers and streams into canals also destroys the charm of the grassy riverine scene.
Tall buildings that can be seen from any point along the shore of the marshes should be disallowed. The scenic beauty of the marshes imparted by its expansive green and watery landscape should not be blighted by insensitive planning and design. Unfortunately, tall buildings at the south-eastern corner of the reservoir have intruded into this rare scene.
Environmental impact assessments should be instituted for any development projects around the marshes.
In harmony with the 27 other organisational signatories of the "Proposals for upholding the Singapore Green Plan", we urge that these steps be taken for the Kranji Marshes before it is too late.
by HO HUA CHEW
Chairman,
Conservation Committee The Nature Society (Singapore)