Aug 13, 2011 - ST Forum
IN LAND-SCARCE Singapore, where economic development continues
unabated, it is prudent to leave some historic land untouched for
the sake of posterity.
Singapore's first public pool in Mount Emily was opened in 1931
and closed after 1982. This landmark area should be added to the
present Mount Emily Park.
The Bidadari Cemetery is now defunct and Woodleigh MRT station
occupies part of the former site. I do not know what has happened
to the tombs of our early pioneers like R.A.J. Bidwell, the
architect behind landmarks like the Raffles Hotel, and scholar and
community leader Lim Boon Keng.
The Bukit Brown cemetery, which was opened in 1922, will soon be
consigned to history books, with the land being used for housing
needs. The Land Transport Authority plans to build the Bukit Brown
MRT station near the cemetery. The tombs of early pioneers like
Chew Boon Lay should be preserved to remind future generations of
their invaluable contributions to our nation. A recent trek also
revealed to me the rich flora and fauna at this old cemetery.
The KTM railway land has now reverted to Singapore. Other than
those parts affected by road widening and housing development, this
rich parcel of land should be preserved. The stretch from Yew Tee
to Woodlands is a sanctuary for monitor lizards, snakes, tortoises
and kingfishers. Any future development will sound the death knell
for these species.
The manicured tracks of our park connectors do not seem to
attract wildlife, which can flourish only in marshes and swampy
areas. I still find mudskippers and horseshoe crabs at the beach
near the Kranji Reservoir Park.
Our mangrove swamps should be preserved, otherwise future
generations will see such rare creatures only in their
textbooks.
Heng Cho Choon
