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Chew Hui Min
Nurulnadiah Md Noh

SINGAPORE - The National Parks Board (NParks) will conduct public guided walks of the Eco-Link@BKE for the first time on Nov 21, Dec 5, Dec 19 and Jan 9 next year.

From March 2016 onwards, NParks will also conduct monthly guided walks of the bridge, Senior Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee said on Wednesday (Nov 4).

The first of its kind in South-east Asia, the Eco-Link@BKE aims to restore the ecological connection between two nature reserves - Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment area - forests separated by the Bukit Timah Expressway since 1986.

The $16 million bridge opened in October 2013, and is located about 600m north of Rifle Range Road, between the Pan-Island Expressway and Dairy Farm exits. Since its opening, access to Eco-Link@BKE was restricted to allow the vegetation to grow and the animals get used to the bridge without human disturbance.

NParks has assessed that limited guided walks are feasible with minimal disturbance to the animals, as the vegetation is now denser.

Senior Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee speaking to the media at Eco-Link@BKE

"Like all other ecological linkages we have island-wide such as nature ways, streetscape gardens or the creation of habitats in our parks, it is the community who inject soul and meaning into these green spaces. The public guided walks at the Eco-Link@BKE would allow the community to appreciate the rich variety of life within our midst," Mr Lee said during a media tour.

"I hope that through such nature expeditions, more Singaporeans will fall in love with our environment and be inspired to do their part to conserve our precious natural heritage," he added.

Eco-Link@BKE guided tour

During these walks, members of the public will learn about the types of animals that are dependent on the bridge and how they use it to find safe passage between nature reserves. They will also get to know the interesting facts about both Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment area.
