**6. Conclusion and comments**

While BTNR falls under IUCN (World Conservation Union) Category IV and is classed as a Habitat/Species Management Area (Protected Area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention) (Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2006; IUCN, 2006), its activities also include public participation whether for recreation or education. This dual role thrust on the forest, as a nature area as well as one for recreational and educational use has provided a greater responsibility on the park management, and the issue of survival of the forest environment in the face of rocketing interests in the forest and its natural environment has become a big challenge for environmental conservation in this urban forest remnant. Efforts of the forest management so far has been to offer varieties of activities for different age groups and inclinations and many of the trails have been covered with board walks and efforts have been taken to blend the additional features to the forest environment. In response to demands from educational institutions, the forest now houses an Education Centre at the western boundary that allows schools to hold field classes (Fig. 12). Hindhede Park with its rest houses, viewing platform overlooking the scenic quarry lake is another example of the forest management to divert the pressure of visitors from the real forest interiors. Currently there are strict rules regarding groups visiting the forest in large numbers and these are subject to prior approval but individual or small groups are exempt from such restrictions. Forest management also does trail management and trail maintenance, as and when necessary, using indigenous

To understand how this new involvement of the people and the continuous efforts to provide various services affects people's perception of the forest, surveys were conducted with 284 visitors in 2010. Table 4 gives a summary of the views received from the visitors

The survey reveals the opinions of an urban population, whose outdoor pursuits do not allow any room for consideration for Nature conservation. Although a fair number of people mentioned that they value coming to the forest as it brings them closer to Nature, they do not see the urgent need to ensure that this piece of forest is conserved for what it is. Most people are comfortable to use it as a Nature Park that gives them a respite from urban

While BTNR falls under IUCN (World Conservation Union) Category IV and is classed as a Habitat/Species Management Area (Protected Area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention) (Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2006; IUCN, 2006), its activities also include public participation whether for recreation or education. This dual role thrust on the forest, as a nature area as well as one for recreational and educational use has provided a greater responsibility on the park management, and the issue of survival of the forest environment in the face of rocketing interests in the forest and its natural environment has become a big challenge for environmental conservation in this urban forest remnant. Efforts of the forest management so far has been to offer varieties of activities for different age groups and inclinations and many of the trails have been covered with board walks and efforts have been taken to blend the additional features to the forest environment. In response to demands from educational institutions, the forest now houses an Education Centre at the western boundary that allows schools to hold field classes (Fig. 12). Hindhede Park with its rest houses, viewing platform overlooking the scenic quarry lake is another example of the forest management to divert the pressure of visitors from the real forest interiors. Currently there are strict rules regarding groups visiting the forest in large numbers and these are subject to prior approval but individual or small groups are exempt from such restrictions. Forest management also does trail management and trail maintenance, as and when necessary, using indigenous

Unfazed by development around the forest 43

inevitable, given the shortage of land <sup>51</sup> Against development close to the forest 6 Supported idea of restricting visitors 0 Supported idea of paid entrance 0 Wanted more car parks 100 Those who said trails should be repaired 40 Those who said trails should be left as it is 24 Those who didn't notice the degradation of trails 36 Those who said the forest was too crowded but was inevitable 53 Those who said the forest was not too crowded 47

**Views and perceptions Percentage of people** 

**interviewed (n=284)** 

about several aspects related to the forest.

Thought urban development too close to the forest was

Table 4. Views and perceptions of visitors to BTNR (n=284)

stresses and yet they do value it as a piece of Nature.

**6. Conclusion and comments** 

forest resources to blend with the environment. But such efforts are mostly ad-hoc and not done in a regular planned manner.

Fig. 12. Initiatives taken by the forest management in response to changing usage of the forest: (a) Rest Huts, (b) Education Centre, (c), (d), and (e) Trail management

However, as surveys suggest, rugged trails still seem to be the best attraction of this forest and 89% of the visitors go directly to the trails. New trails of all grades and gradients have been laid out through the forest to cater to the growing demand. One such example is the Kampong Trail which actually links BTNR to the next forest in the Central Water Catchment, the MacRitchie forest. Currently there are various networks of trails through varying gradients of the forest, running through small streams, caves, rock outcrops, dense vegetated slopes and deserted old hutments, giving the much desired rustic and wild environment that urban dwellers crave for during their leisure times.

With annual figures going as high as 402621 persons, the 10.6km walking trails alone would see a staggering 1103 visitors per day. This figure is not final as entrees from the six unguarded entrances are not included in this data. If the IUCN guidelines of 10 persons per hectare per day are followed, the 164 ha area of BTNR should be able to support a visitor figure of 1640 per day (World Tourism Organization, 1999). But the 75 ha closed forested area of BTNR that is actually visited by people can only support an optimum visitor number

Sustainability of an Urban Forest: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore 159

Barrow (2006) mentions, environmental risk management incorporates estimation of risk, evaluation of risk and also includes response to risk. Hence, it is imperative that the lay-out of forest trails, regular monitoring of their condition, and their maintenance are carried out in a planned manner by the park managers to benefit the visitor and at the same time reduce

While forests of all dimensions are subject to degradation due to increasing influx of visitors, it is the urban forest patches in close proximity of populated urban centres that are more at risk of such intensive usage and consequent degradation. Developing some longterm monitoring and management protocols, regular monitoring and updating of trail conditions, and constant alignment of usage and amelioration of its impacts are essential for

At Bukit Timah, while urban development is already at stone's throw from the forest boundaries and this cannot be reverted, it is imperative that any further urban encroachment is kept at bay, through development of a conscientious public view and a committed governmental effort targeted towards long-term conservation of this forest patch. One workable plan could be achieved through managed and well-placed diversion of visitor traffic from the core of the forest by building forest corridors for people yearning leisure activities in green spaces. Several sites may be possible, such as connecting the nearby Bukit Batok Nature Park with the existing Bukit Timah Nature Reserve through building of a walking green corridor across one of the busy roads (Upper Bukit Timah Road). Similarly, the recently vacated Malayan Railway line that skirts BTNR can easily be used as not just a green corridor but also an effective diversion for visitor traffic directly from the main gate of BTNR, thus relieving BTNR from the strangling pressure of visitors. The popularity of the recently vacated railway line proves that it may prove successful. Public education regarding sustainability of BTNR is also essential to maintain the status of the forest as a nature reserve. The current thrusts of the forest management through some public talks, in-forest posters need to reinforced and involvement of NGOs such a Nature

long term sustainable use of the forest located close to urban areas.

Society of Singapore needs to be more targeted if this effort is to be sustained.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, for its size, its rich diversity, its services to the local population, its vulnerability in the face of growing urbanization is a forest that is a case for concern. Issue of sustainability of forests has never been as acute as it is in the case of Bukit

Part of this research on the forest environment was funded by a project on Trail Degradation at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, NIE RP 19/02 KC. Many of the ground data could not have been collected without the help of students from various courses at National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Support from National Parks Board, Singapore and help offered by the officers at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve for conducting this research are acknowledged. Visitors to the forest who helped by giving their

Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage. (2006). Six IUCN

http://www.deh.gov.au/parks/iucn.html#IV

Protected Area Categories, In: *IUCN category of reserve*, 02-03-2006, Available from:

the impacts of trail use.

Timah Nature Reserve.

**7. Acknowledgements** 

views are also acknowledged.

**8. References** 

of only 750 per day. If the present visitor preferences for the trail (92%) are considered, the trails should only get a daily maximum of 690 visitors. The present figures (an estimated minimum of 1103 persons, not including the ones who come to the forest through the unmanned entrances) are markedly higher than this optimum value. As mentioned earlier, the trails do show the impact of such intensive usage.

When forest patches are under stress from overuse, the forest managers have basically two choices: (1) maintenance of trails with the help of engineering structures such as board walks, surface layering with forest/ artificial materials to ensure that the trails are in usable condition even under severe use, (2) controlling the number of visitors to the area. However the strategy of controlling the visitors is never seen as an acceptable alternative for two reasons. The forests are considered as nature areas for the recreation and enjoyment of the public. Any restrictions on their use may be seen as infringement on public rights. Restrictions also keep the public away from the problem, creating a forced avoidance and a possible apathy, which goes against the grain of conservation of public forest areas.

Surveys conducted for this research revealed that visitors to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve do not advocate regulating the number of visitors, although some do mention having restrictions on times to reduce the total number of visitors (Table 4). But, quite contrary to what John and Pang (2004) found out in Hong Kong, visitors to BTNR recorded their concerns for the forest and actually mentioned that the natural environment must be conserved, although they were not sure how. So the public sentiment towards conservation of this forest reserve is positive. Surveys show visitors opting for a combination of all types of management - but are reluctant to accept closing down of trails. Judging from the visitor responses collated for this study, the more acceptable way towards a managed forest is through close monitoring and response through management of the conditions, rather than restricting the visitorship. Therefore, choices left to the park managers have to focus on managing the existing forest paths with the given resources.

Although this forest trail management is generally left to the forest/ park managers, little institutional effort is made towards actually ensuring that it is done in an organized manner. Trail maintenance in many forests is left to the users and other voluntary organizations. While there are many guidelines on trail maintenance, trail layouts (U.S.D.A. Forest Service, 1991; Florida Trail Association, 1991), an effective management, especially in small forest reserves requires an organized schedule and planning based on site specific surveys and location-specific decisions. In the absence of organized scientific support and database, most of the maintenance is dependent on visual surveys by the rangers and is at best an ad hoc attempt to maintain an area under stress from overuse. While vast wildernesses have the resilience to bounce back from stressful conditions, if left to do so, smaller patches of nature around urban areas, such as BTNR, are the ones that are more vulnerable and are in danger of being reduced to degraded lands, especially if proactive measures are not emplaced to monitor the changes in the conditions.

With urban centres on the rise and populations and their lifestyles going through changes with the times, such dwindling nature pockets need to be brought to focus in order to sustain them even in the face of rapid intrusions from urban development. One of the recent notable developments is this growing acceptance for the need to assess and possibly reduce the impacts on nature areas for conserving these pockets of nature in and around urban areas. Assessment of the impacts, demarcation of the stress indicators, identification of the options to improve, prioritizing the amelioration, reducing or avoidance of the causes of threats and hazards are some of the issues that need to be stressed upon, if nature areas are to be conserved, either in big wilderness areas or in places near urban developments. As

of only 750 per day. If the present visitor preferences for the trail (92%) are considered, the trails should only get a daily maximum of 690 visitors. The present figures (an estimated minimum of 1103 persons, not including the ones who come to the forest through the unmanned entrances) are markedly higher than this optimum value. As mentioned earlier,

When forest patches are under stress from overuse, the forest managers have basically two choices: (1) maintenance of trails with the help of engineering structures such as board walks, surface layering with forest/ artificial materials to ensure that the trails are in usable condition even under severe use, (2) controlling the number of visitors to the area. However the strategy of controlling the visitors is never seen as an acceptable alternative for two reasons. The forests are considered as nature areas for the recreation and enjoyment of the public. Any restrictions on their use may be seen as infringement on public rights. Restrictions also keep the public away from the problem, creating a forced avoidance and a

Surveys conducted for this research revealed that visitors to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve do not advocate regulating the number of visitors, although some do mention having restrictions on times to reduce the total number of visitors (Table 4). But, quite contrary to what John and Pang (2004) found out in Hong Kong, visitors to BTNR recorded their concerns for the forest and actually mentioned that the natural environment must be conserved, although they were not sure how. So the public sentiment towards conservation of this forest reserve is positive. Surveys show visitors opting for a combination of all types of management - but are reluctant to accept closing down of trails. Judging from the visitor responses collated for this study, the more acceptable way towards a managed forest is through close monitoring and response through management of the conditions, rather than restricting the visitorship. Therefore, choices left to the park managers have to focus on

Although this forest trail management is generally left to the forest/ park managers, little institutional effort is made towards actually ensuring that it is done in an organized manner. Trail maintenance in many forests is left to the users and other voluntary organizations. While there are many guidelines on trail maintenance, trail layouts (U.S.D.A. Forest Service, 1991; Florida Trail Association, 1991), an effective management, especially in small forest reserves requires an organized schedule and planning based on site specific surveys and location-specific decisions. In the absence of organized scientific support and database, most of the maintenance is dependent on visual surveys by the rangers and is at best an ad hoc attempt to maintain an area under stress from overuse. While vast wildernesses have the resilience to bounce back from stressful conditions, if left to do so, smaller patches of nature around urban areas, such as BTNR, are the ones that are more vulnerable and are in danger of being reduced to degraded lands, especially if proactive measures are not emplaced to

With urban centres on the rise and populations and their lifestyles going through changes with the times, such dwindling nature pockets need to be brought to focus in order to sustain them even in the face of rapid intrusions from urban development. One of the recent notable developments is this growing acceptance for the need to assess and possibly reduce the impacts on nature areas for conserving these pockets of nature in and around urban areas. Assessment of the impacts, demarcation of the stress indicators, identification of the options to improve, prioritizing the amelioration, reducing or avoidance of the causes of threats and hazards are some of the issues that need to be stressed upon, if nature areas are to be conserved, either in big wilderness areas or in places near urban developments. As

possible apathy, which goes against the grain of conservation of public forest areas.

the trails do show the impact of such intensive usage.

managing the existing forest paths with the given resources.

monitor the changes in the conditions.

Barrow (2006) mentions, environmental risk management incorporates estimation of risk, evaluation of risk and also includes response to risk. Hence, it is imperative that the lay-out of forest trails, regular monitoring of their condition, and their maintenance are carried out in a planned manner by the park managers to benefit the visitor and at the same time reduce the impacts of trail use.

While forests of all dimensions are subject to degradation due to increasing influx of visitors, it is the urban forest patches in close proximity of populated urban centres that are more at risk of such intensive usage and consequent degradation. Developing some longterm monitoring and management protocols, regular monitoring and updating of trail conditions, and constant alignment of usage and amelioration of its impacts are essential for long term sustainable use of the forest located close to urban areas.

At Bukit Timah, while urban development is already at stone's throw from the forest boundaries and this cannot be reverted, it is imperative that any further urban encroachment is kept at bay, through development of a conscientious public view and a committed governmental effort targeted towards long-term conservation of this forest patch. One workable plan could be achieved through managed and well-placed diversion of visitor traffic from the core of the forest by building forest corridors for people yearning leisure activities in green spaces. Several sites may be possible, such as connecting the nearby Bukit Batok Nature Park with the existing Bukit Timah Nature Reserve through building of a walking green corridor across one of the busy roads (Upper Bukit Timah Road). Similarly, the recently vacated Malayan Railway line that skirts BTNR can easily be used as not just a green corridor but also an effective diversion for visitor traffic directly from the main gate of BTNR, thus relieving BTNR from the strangling pressure of visitors. The popularity of the recently vacated railway line proves that it may prove successful. Public education regarding sustainability of BTNR is also essential to maintain the status of the forest as a nature reserve. The current thrusts of the forest management through some public talks, in-forest posters need to reinforced and involvement of NGOs such a Nature Society of Singapore needs to be more targeted if this effort is to be sustained.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, for its size, its rich diversity, its services to the local population, its vulnerability in the face of growing urbanization is a forest that is a case for concern. Issue of sustainability of forests has never been as acute as it is in the case of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
