21 November 2013

Mandai mangroves in the Draft Master Plan 2013

An exciting development is the plan for Cashin House to become "a new visitor gateway to the western part of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve". The creation of Sungei Buloh Wetland Park has also turned  adjacent olive green space ('Open Space) into bright green ('Park') under NParks care.
While it's great to see an extension of area covered under the umbrella of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Park, Mandai mangroves and mudflats remains designated a 'Reserve Site'.

The Draft Master Plan 2013 (DMP2013) guides Singapore’s development over the next 10 to 15 years. All Singapore's wild places are treated under Recreation. Under details for Recreation in the North Region this is what is mentioned of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Park and Kranji Marsh:
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve has been extended to include a new 38ha Wetland Park, to bring nature closer to visitors. Public access will be improved, and there will be new facilities and a trail network that encourage experiential learning whilst protecting and enhancing the rich biodiversity and habitats.

Kranji Marshes, a freshwater marsh habitat teeming with birdlife, will also be made more accessible to the public. To protect and showcase the area’s natural heritage, URA has worked closely with NParks and the Nature Society (Singapore) to protect the more sensitive areas and provide boardwalks, nature trails, bird-watching hides and rest points for the public.
Under details for Identity in the North Region the mention of Cashin House give hope for extension of NPark's care over the rich and diverse mangroves at Lim Chu Kang which lies at Cashin House.
Cashin House, a former residence extending out to sea in Lim Chu Kang, will become a new visitor gateway to the western part of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. The house will be restored and converted into a recreational spot, capitalising on its rustic waterfront environment combined with a seamless green link to the much-loved Nature Reserve.

Looking at the land use plan for the area in the map of the Draft Master Plan 2013.
Draft Master Plan 2013
Compared with the Master Plan 2008, we can see Kranji Marsh is an additional green area, and the creation of Sungei Buloh Wetland Park has turned the adjacent olive portion green. But Mandai mangroves (yellow portion next to the red portion - causeway facilities), remains yellow=Reserve site.
Master Plan 2008
The Draft Master Plan Exhibition at URA Centre repeats the information on the website, but has awesome huge models of the Plans. This is the portion with includes Mandai mangroves and mudflats. With a wide green ribbon running through the model to mark the Green Corridor.


 This is the view of the model which includes Sungei Buloh, Kranji marshes and Cashin house.
This is the map using the Parks and Waterbodies 2013 overlay. I can't compare it with the Parks and Waterbodies Plan 2008 because it is no longer available on the URA website. I'm also not really sure what this means because I can't find more detailed text explanations of the Parks and Waterbodies Plan 2013.
And let's compare the Draft Master Plan 2013:
Olive green=Open space, bright green=Park
bright yellow=Reserve site
With the landuse plan by the Ministry of National Development released in Jan 2013 in response to the Populations White Paper with a 6.9 million population target:
Light green=Open space/recreation/agriculture
Pale yellow=Reserve site.
These are the existing natural shores that may be impacted by the 'Reserve sites' of both the Draft Master Plan 2013 and the Land Use Plan following the Population White Paper.


What can one person do about this?

Speak up for what you love!
  • Join the Conversation: "Our Singapore Conversation on Green Spaces" 30 Nov (Sat):

    What are specifically the “green spaces” that the majority of people prefer? More of the usual manicured public parks? More nature parks with an emphasis on conserving wild greenery and its wildlife? More managed green areas for recreation like golf-courses, football? It is important that the term “green space” be clearly specified by the people so that national planning can proceed on the right track and be relevant to the people. In this session, we aim to gather people from a wide variety of sectors (professionals, heartlanders, students, sportsmen, etc.) to thrash out these issues.
Organised by the Nature Society (Singapore) and Young NTUC.
Date: 30 Nov (Sat)
Time: 2.30 – 5.30pm
Venue: NTUC Centre, No.1 Marina Boulevard, Level 8 Room 801, One Marina Boulevard
Moderator: Ms Faizah Jamal (Nominated MP)
More details on the Green Drinks blog
Don't take our shores for granted!

You can make a difference! Simply explore, express and ACT!

Visit our shores before they are gone. Join nature activities at our wild places, like those listed on wildsingapore happenings. Share what you've seen. Volunteer for them.

Related posts
What can be found at the affected shores?
Here's more info, photos and stories about our trips to these shores.


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