NParks: Labrador rocky shore gate permanently closed from 10th June 2009

International Coastal Cleanup Singapore coordinator Andy Dinesh alerted me about a notice about closure of the gate leading to the beach and rocky shore. A check with the NParks webpage for Labrador Nature Reserve reveals the following statement (under the section, "History and Attractions"):

*The rocky beach is a fragile marine ecosystem which needs preservation. Gate to the rocky beach will be permanently locked from 10 June 09 onwards.

**For group visit, please write to Nparks_mailbox@nparks.gov.sg with the title 'Application for Visiting Labrador beach' , and furnish following details. Date and time of visit, no. of people, activity detail, organisation name, address and tel no.; contact person's name and h/p no.

Labrador Villa kopi shops are all gone

See "The Labrador kopi shops are no more."


Photo by Kenneth Pinto

A Tale of Survival (2005 paper)

Maiden Labrador Walk!

8th March 2008 marks the maiden walk @ Labrador Park with Toddycats! Guides for the day were nature veteran Sivasothi, ever-passionate Oi Yee and Justin...

Divided into 3 groups, the visitors, mostly members of Toddycats, were introduced to the wonderful, yet fragile, wildlife of our last rocky shore habitat on mainland Singapore... The following are the pictorial updates of the event....

In summary, the Labrador walk was indeed a success! First-timers to the place were marvelled by the beauty of the place, while other participants re-experienced the wonderful 'hidden treasures' found on our Nature Reserves....

Note: For those interested to find out more about the Labrador Project under toddycats or want to be part of us, we want to hear from you. Please email us at: labradorpark.tc@gmail.com

Revival of Labrador Project!

Ever since the newspaper article on 29th Oct 2007 featuring the Singapore Polytechnic's SEACILs project. Some wildlife bloggers, upon discovery that the debris they found on the intertidal of Labrador shores were linked to their project, began blogging extensively about their concerns for Labrador habitat.

This subsequently led to the Straits times article on 26th November 2007 titled: 'Nature lovers fear coral project will cause damage'.

Despite all the noise made by the 'nature lovers', there was no improvement in the debris condition of Labrador. Instead, more debris from other sources began appearing as well, which further dampened the natural landscape of Labrador. Apparently situation in Labrador worsen by the day...... until this year...

During the last visit on 8th January 2008, some of the concrete debris began to disappear from the site, apparently removed by some unknown groups. This led to an entry titled: 'A new Hope', showing optimism for the once-dire-state of Labrador. Although there is still much debris to be removed from the shore, the removal of these debris, though may appeared insignificant, do signals a starting point for return of the former glory of Labrador Nature Reserve.

Riding on this new hope, the Toddycats of RMBR has reinstated the Labrador Project with the following aims:

• To raise awareness to the public of our rocky shore in Singapore
• To interest them in the conservation efforts, as well as looking out for our nature reserves
• To create a continuation in imparting nature awareness through training of guides etc

Hence, a team, made up of nature lovers, is formed to fulfil the aims. In the near future, the team will conduct walks, cleanup sessions, training sessions and other events in relation Labrador Nature Reserves. Therefore, look out this space for more updates!

For more information/enquires on the Labrador Project, please email to: labradorpark.tc@gmail.com

Other blogs featuring Labrador:

wildfilms

reddotbeachbum

Justin's dive adventures

Under protection?

Haven't been back to Labrador in a looooooong time and I realize how much I miss it...

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Today the nerites were out in full force after a short shower... the colours.. just amazing

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a mollusc threesome

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ovalis galore

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more seagrass
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somehow halimedas never fail to amuse me.

its just so... calcified. hahaha. if i make any sense

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can u spot the two crabs?

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Yes Labrador is the ONLY rocky shore left on mainland Singapore. And it is SUPPOSEDLY gazetted as a nature reserve.. and yet.. we see all this...

an abandoned motor, tyres, fish traps, a failed artificial reef project, neglect of construction near the cofferdam, an idol found floating on the shore, more rubbish.. sigh. depressing.

doesn't it make you think that we're not doing enough for this 'nature reserve'? why make it a reserve in the first place if its not going to receive any proper protection?

Re: Large Debris on Labrador

having not visited Labrador in a looong time, I was appalled to read this entry on the wildfilms blog. Perfect example of a project gone wrong. Looking forward to seeing what Singapore Poly has to say about this.