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Nature Conservation and Nature Society (Singapore): 4. Khatib Bongsu

on 23rd April 2017

Earlier posts: 1. Introduction; 2. Sungei Buloh; 3. Kranji Heronry.

Khatib Bongsu is another early conservation proposal (below). The document was completed in 1989 and again it was suggested that it be established as another Nature Reserve. As with other proposals, it came in the midst of the euphoria caused by the Sungei Buloh success.

KhatibBongsu Sept1989

This 20 hectare area comprised degraded riverine and coastal wetland, fish/prawn ponds as well as abandoned fruit orchards and grasslands. Towards the east was the Yishun Housing Estate. Its only merit was the presence of Black-crowned Night-herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), estimated to number about a thousand (below). This was one of two heronries then known to occur in Singapore, the other being in Kranji

Black-crowned Night-heron (Photo credit: Johnny Wee}
Black-crowned Night-heron (Photo credit: Johnny Wee}

In addition, there were also Purple Herons (Ardea purpurea) and Little Herons (Butorides striatus), although their numbers were much lower. The bird population consisted of 87 species, as listed in the attached checklist.

The proposal was modified in 1993 and the area enlarged to 85 hectares. The number of birds listed in the appendix increased 150 species. In addition this enlarged area was claimed to be a major wader site with up to 10,000 birds visiting during peak migratory periods. The modified document was submitted to government in July 1993.

Straits Times, 21st September 1993
Straits Times, 21st September 1993

In the 1994 Budget speech, Mr Lim Hng Kiang, then Acting Minister for National Development, announced in Parliament that an area of Khateb Bongsu would be conserved LINK (above). The area was then added to the list of 18 areas proposed in the government’s Green Plan (below).

Singapore Green Plan 1993
Page 51, The Singapore Green Plan – Action Programmes, 1993

In May 1996 the Urban Redevelopment Authority announced that it would develop one-third of the 36 hectares Khatib Bongsu nature area, despite appeals by the Nature Society (Singapore) to save the wetland (below).

Straits Times May 10th 1996
Straits Times May 10th 1996

However, Sungei Khateb Bongsu was eventually canalised and the surrounding area reclaimed and developed into a reservoir – see LINK.

YC Wee
Singapore
5th April 2017

Secretary, Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch) 1978-1990; Founding President, Nature Society (Singapore) 1990-1995

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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