I AM happy to see the Government making an effort to bring nature to the people. The development of a large nature park in Mandai is a fine example of this. But I also view such developments with trepidation.
Recently, I took my dog for a run at Sengkang Riverside Park, which I had not visited for three years. Before the river was dammed, visitors could see mudflats along the banks at low tide, where birds would rest and feed.
The revamped park looked impressive with its amenities. Water plants and reeds were strategically planted to attract the birds. However, the mudflats were gone and so were the shore birds.
When I was there at 6pm, hardly any bird was in sight. I also did not hear any bird calls. If birds had made the park their home, they should have returned to roost during the evening hours. I wondered if this was because the park has become a perfect place for human interaction and recreation, but not for wildlife.
I saw a large snakehead fish in a pond. If the pond is full of such a predator, other fish stock would be depleted quickly. Birds may have stayed away because of the lack of small fishes to eat. Snakeheads have been known to attack birds when food sources are low.
I hope more can be done to ensure that both fauna and humans can enjoy the parks, and that flora and fauna can co-exist harmoniously.
Perhaps we should not make every nature reserve accessible to the public. There are enough parks for the public to enjoy. Let parts of nature be kept in their original state.
Kan Shik Kiong
Recently, I took my dog for a run at Sengkang Riverside Park, which I had not visited for three years. Before the river was dammed, visitors could see mudflats along the banks at low tide, where birds would rest and feed.
The revamped park looked impressive with its amenities. Water plants and reeds were strategically planted to attract the birds. However, the mudflats were gone and so were the shore birds.
When I was there at 6pm, hardly any bird was in sight. I also did not hear any bird calls. If birds had made the park their home, they should have returned to roost during the evening hours. I wondered if this was because the park has become a perfect place for human interaction and recreation, but not for wildlife.
I saw a large snakehead fish in a pond. If the pond is full of such a predator, other fish stock would be depleted quickly. Birds may have stayed away because of the lack of small fishes to eat. Snakeheads have been known to attack birds when food sources are low.
I hope more can be done to ensure that both fauna and humans can enjoy the parks, and that flora and fauna can co-exist harmoniously.
Perhaps we should not make every nature reserve accessible to the public. There are enough parks for the public to enjoy. Let parts of nature be kept in their original state.
Kan Shik Kiong
