The Keppel Discovery Wetlands at the Singapore Botanic Gardens was launched on Saturday. Source: National Parks Board
The National Parks Board (NParks) and Keppel Corp on Saturday (27 August) announced plans to restore the freshwater forest wetland ecosystem historically found within the vicinity of the Botanic Gardens.
Located in the upcoming Learning Forest extension, the restored 1.8ha forest wetland will not only enhance the biodiversity found there, but also provide educational opportunities for the public to observe a freshwater forest wetland habitat within the city limits.
Dubbed the Keppel Discovery Wetlands, the project is supported by Keppel Corp, which committed $2.08 million to the restoration efforts.
The wetlands is set to open in early 2017, and will feature various thematic freshwater forest wetland habitats that are connected by boardwalks and trails.
This includes the Pulai Marsh, a recreation of the freshwater forest wetland historically found in the area.
“Evidence for the freshwater swamp forest can be found in the remnant populations of wetland plants still growing in the area and maps dating as far back as the 1860s,” said NParks, adding that the restoration of Pulai Marsh will enable native species to flourish and thrive.
Keppel Discovery Wetlands will also feature the Orchid Islands, where visitors can view a large variety of native orchids in bloom, and a Botanists’ Boardwalk, where the public can learn about discoveries made by the Gardens’ early botanists.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
