Saturday November 6, 2:17 PM
NParks opens $1.6m treetop walk at MacRitchie for educational
outings
SINGAPORE : Fancy a walk among the treetops? The National Parks
Board has developed a $1.6 million treetop walk at the Central
Catchment Reserve in MacRitchie - the first of its kind in
Singapore.
If you are afraid of heights, you may not be able to stomach this
250-metre walk.
Unlike most other tree-top walks, which are anchored on trees, this
walkway is suspended 25 metres above the forest floor - adding an
element of excitement as one takes in the beauty and tranquility of
the forest.
The free-standing suspension bridge connects the two highest points
in MacRitchie, offering a spectacular bird's eye view of the
community of plants and animals living in the forest.
It also provides another avenue for nature appreciation and
recreation for the community.
Some 80 species of birds and 18 rare trees have been spotted in the
forest.
Mr Subaraj Rajathurai, Nature Guide and Consultant, said: "Just in
the last few years, we have found new reptiles, new mammals, new
birds and also a lot of our bird life tend to use this canopy
layer.
"So with this canopy walkway, it gives us the opportunity to be up
in the canopy, at eye-level with many of these creatures and that
is brilliant."
Ms Sharon Chan, Assistant Director of Central Nature Reserve at
NParks, said: "This tree top walk itself gives us that element of
research to see what is happening at the tree top level, what are
the pollination, what are the flowering patterns, and it is a
chance for us to get a new perspective of the ecosystem."
The tree top walk also provides an ideal setting for educational
outings.
But be prepared to walk some four hours to get there as the nearest
parking area is some five kilometres away at the entrance to
MacRitchie Reservoir Park. - CNA
