Central Catchment Nature Reserve
Encyclopedia
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve
in Singapore
, occupying 2889 hectares Forming a large green lung in the geographical centre of the city, it houses several recreational sites, including the Singapore Zoo
and the Night Safari, as well as several newer facilities built to encourage public appreciation of the reserve, such as the HSBC TreeTop Walk.
It is one of the 4 gazetted nature reserves in Singapore. The other three are namely Labrador Nature Reserve
which was gazetted since 1 January 2002, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
. All four nature reserves, along with the parks are protected under the Parks & Trees Act 2005.
The nature reserve acts as a catchment area for the surrounding reservoirs. The country’s main reservoirs - MacRitchie
, Upper Seletar
, Upper Peirce
and Lower Peirce
– are located in the central catchment area.
Most forests in Central Catchment Nature Reserve were cleared for logging and cultivation unlike Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which remain relatively undisturbed. The Central Catchment Nature Reserve now consists of a mixture of young and mature secondary forests with virgin primary forest surrounding the reservoirs.
.
and even the Sunda Pangolin. Currently, the critically endangered species of Raffles' Banded Langur (Banded leaf monkeys) can only be found in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. Wild birds such as Crimson Sunbird
, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
and kingfishers are found in the reserve too. Some species of critically endangered bats have been spotted in Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The reserve also consists of many species of butterflies. The nature reserve is home to some 1,600 species of flora.
had been exterminated. The Banded Leaf Monkey is one of four primate species native to Singapore. Today, they are restricted to a small area within the Central Catchment Nature Reserve with a population size of about 40 individuals.
The National Biodiversity Centre, in partnership with the Evolution Lab of the National University of Singapore, initiated an ecological study of Banded Leaf Monkeys (Presbytis femoralis) in order to propose conservation management recommendations and maintain a viable population in the long term. Comprehensive surveys were conducted to determine the population number, demography, home range, behaviour and communication, food choices, habitat and also anthropogenic interferences on the banded leaf monkeys.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, occupying 2889 hectares Forming a large green lung in the geographical centre of the city, it houses several recreational sites, including the Singapore Zoo
Singapore Zoo
The Singapore Zoo , formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens and commonly known locally as the Mandai Zoo, occupies 28 hectares of land on the margins of Upper Seletar Reservoir within Singapore's heavily forested central catchment area. The zoo was built at a cost of S$9m granted by...
and the Night Safari, as well as several newer facilities built to encourage public appreciation of the reserve, such as the HSBC TreeTop Walk.
It is one of the 4 gazetted nature reserves in Singapore. The other three are namely Labrador Nature Reserve
Labrador Nature Reserve
Labrador Nature Reserve , also locally known as Labrador Park , is located in the southern part of the main island of Singapore. It contains the only rocky sea-cliff on the mainland that is accessible to the public...
which was gazetted since 1 January 2002, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a nature reserve located in the Northwest area of Singapore. It is the first wetlands reserve to be gazetted in Singapore in the year 2002, and its global importance as a stop-over point for migratory birds was also recognised by the Wetlands International's...
and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a small 1.64 square kilometer nature reserve near the geographic centre of the city-state of Singapore, located on the slopes of Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore's highest hill standing at a height of 163.63 metres, and parts of the surrounding area...
. All four nature reserves, along with the parks are protected under the Parks & Trees Act 2005.
The nature reserve acts as a catchment area for the surrounding reservoirs. The country’s main reservoirs - MacRitchie
MacRitchie Reservoir
MacRitchie Reservoir is Singapore's oldest reservoir. The reservoir was completed in 1868 by impounding water from an earth embankment, and was then known as the Impounding Reservoir or Thomson Reservoir....
, Upper Seletar
Upper Seletar Reservoir
Upper Seletar Reservoir is Singapore's third impounding reservoir, after MacRitchie Reservoir and Peirce Reservoir...
, Upper Peirce
Upper Peirce Reservoir
Upper Peirce Reservoir is Singapore's second reservoir. The 6-hectare Upper Peirce Reservoir Park overlooks the Upper Peirce Reservoir.-History:...
and Lower Peirce
Lower Peirce Reservoir
The Lower Peirce Reservoir is one of the oldest reservoirs in Singapore. It is located near the MacRitchie Reservoir and the Upper Peirce Reservoir. It was originally created as the Peirce Reservoir but was designated as lower upon the creation of the Upper Peirce Reservoir. It is 6 hectares in...
– are located in the central catchment area.
Most forests in Central Catchment Nature Reserve were cleared for logging and cultivation unlike Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which remain relatively undisturbed. The Central Catchment Nature Reserve now consists of a mixture of young and mature secondary forests with virgin primary forest surrounding the reservoirs.
Attractions
Bordering MacRitchie reservoir are remnants of rubber plantations from the 19th century. Walkways and boardwalks in the reserve, which range from 3 to 11 kilometres long, allow visitors to enjoy a closer feel to nature. The reserve is also visited by hikers and trekkers due to its terrain and scenery. A hike can lead one to the nearby Bukit Timah Nature ReserveBukit Timah Nature Reserve
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a small 1.64 square kilometer nature reserve near the geographic centre of the city-state of Singapore, located on the slopes of Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore's highest hill standing at a height of 163.63 metres, and parts of the surrounding area...
.
Biodiversity
The nature reserve boasts a rich biodiversity with over 500 animal species including Flying Lemur, Common TreeshrewCommon Treeshrew
The Common Treeshrew is a small mammal in the treeshrew family Tupaiidae, and is native to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. It has been listed as Least Concern by IUCN as it remains common and displays some adaptability to ongoing habitat loss.- Description :The common treeshrew is one of the...
and even the Sunda Pangolin. Currently, the critically endangered species of Raffles' Banded Langur (Banded leaf monkeys) can only be found in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. Wild birds such as Crimson Sunbird
Crimson Sunbird
The Crimson Sunbird, Aethopyga siparaja, is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings...
, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
The Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus paradiseus, is a medium-sized Asian bird which is distinctive in having elongated outer tail feathers with webbing restricted to the tips. They are placed along with other drongos in the family Dicruridae...
and kingfishers are found in the reserve too. Some species of critically endangered bats have been spotted in Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The reserve also consists of many species of butterflies. The nature reserve is home to some 1,600 species of flora.
HSBC TreeTop Walk
The nature reserve contains a 250-metre suspension bridge. The HSBC TreeTop Walk opened to public on 5 November 2004. It connects the two highest points in MacRitchie - Bukit Pierce and Bukit Kalang. At the highest point, the bridge hangs 25 metres from the forest floor. The difficulty level of the trail ranges from moderate to difficult. The suspension bridge serves an important role in forest canopy research, giving researchers access to areas well off the ground. To preserve tranquility of the environment and for safety reasons, the number of people allowed on the walkway is capped at 30. Visitors will only be able to travel along the narrow walkway in one direction, by entering from the Bukit Pierce entrance and exiting through the Petaling Trail. Rangers are deployed along the 10.3-kilometre trail to ensure safety.Nature education
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve provides free guided tours to schools and the general public. This is part of National Parks Board’s efforts to educate people about the conservation of nature areas in Singapore.Banded Leaf Monkey Conservation
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the only location in Singapore where the nationally critically endangered Banded Leaf Monkeys can be found. Due to rapid urbanisation and habitat loss, the population at Bukit Timah Nature ReserveBukit Timah Nature Reserve
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a small 1.64 square kilometer nature reserve near the geographic centre of the city-state of Singapore, located on the slopes of Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore's highest hill standing at a height of 163.63 metres, and parts of the surrounding area...
had been exterminated. The Banded Leaf Monkey is one of four primate species native to Singapore. Today, they are restricted to a small area within the Central Catchment Nature Reserve with a population size of about 40 individuals.
The National Biodiversity Centre, in partnership with the Evolution Lab of the National University of Singapore, initiated an ecological study of Banded Leaf Monkeys (Presbytis femoralis) in order to propose conservation management recommendations and maintain a viable population in the long term. Comprehensive surveys were conducted to determine the population number, demography, home range, behaviour and communication, food choices, habitat and also anthropogenic interferences on the banded leaf monkeys.