**4.2 Impact on forest visitor arrivals**

Apart from the other impacts from such urban landscape, residential developments close to the forest boundaries do provide a heavy visitor base to the forest. Figure 8, based on data released by the forest management shows the unprecedented rise in the number of visitors to the forest in recent years and numbers are increasing.

Fig. 8. Increase in number of visitors to BTNR (1990-2007): Overall percentage increase in annual number of visitors from 1990 to 2005 > 400%

The figures, however, are only from records maintained on the visitor arrivals at the main gate. It needs to be mentioned here that BTNR has six other entrances where no records can be maintained because of the open access to those places. Therefore, it can be safely assumed that the actual visitor numbers are much higher than is seen in the official records. It is clear that the forest is a popular recreation getaway for the nature-loving urban dwellers, most of whom are local residents. Visitor surveys were done with 850 persons in total in 2004 and again in 2006 (Table 1).

The 2004 data showed that 68% preferred the trails, while 8% had no clear preference, though they often frequented the trails. This could well mean that these visitors also visited the trails, making the figure a staggering 76%. The 2006 survey revealed similar but increasing trend of people visiting the trails, a possible 83 - 92% of the total visitors. With annual figures going as high as 402621 persons (2004), there are more than 1103 visitors per day and with 83% going to the trails, the 10.6km walking trails alone would see a staggering

average relative humidity drop was recorded to be about 30% all along the outside boundary. The slightly lower value recorded along the Dairy Farm Road is thought to be because of the presence of more trees along the outer boundaries of the forest and also because of some planted trees along the roadside. This is not the case along BKE, where the forest ends abruptly at the expressway. All data show clearly that the boundary environment is very different from the inner forest and the outer peripheries of this small forest are subjected to much harsher environment than the forest interior, creating a steep edge: interior difference. This is obviously detrimental to the well-being of the forest

Apart from the other impacts from such urban landscape, residential developments close to the forest boundaries do provide a heavy visitor base to the forest. Figure 8, based on data released by the forest management shows the unprecedented rise in the number of visitors

Fig. 8. Increase in number of visitors to BTNR (1990-2007): Overall percentage increase in

The figures, however, are only from records maintained on the visitor arrivals at the main gate. It needs to be mentioned here that BTNR has six other entrances where no records can be maintained because of the open access to those places. Therefore, it can be safely assumed that the actual visitor numbers are much higher than is seen in the official records. It is clear that the forest is a popular recreation getaway for the nature-loving urban dwellers, most of whom are local residents. Visitor surveys were done with 850 persons in total in 2004 and

The 2004 data showed that 68% preferred the trails, while 8% had no clear preference, though they often frequented the trails. This could well mean that these visitors also visited the trails, making the figure a staggering 76%. The 2006 survey revealed similar but increasing trend of people visiting the trails, a possible 83 - 92% of the total visitors. With annual figures going as high as 402621 persons (2004), there are more than 1103 visitors per day and with 83% going to the trails, the 10.6km walking trails alone would see a staggering

vegetation in particular and the entire forest ecosystem in general.

to the forest in recent years and numbers are increasing.

annual number of visitors from 1990 to 2005 > 400%

again in 2006 (Table 1).

**4.2 Impact on forest visitor arrivals** 

figure of > 915 visitors per day. This amounts to >86 persons trampling for around 2 hours per km of the trails, which is alarmingly high. While in 2004, 46% percent had visited most of the trails, the 2006 survey revealed that at least 92% had ventured into at least one or more of the walking trails; 78% said they stay for two or more hours at each visit in 2004 while in 2006 surveys revealed that 83% of the visitors spend 1-2 hours in the forest..


Table 1. Results of surveys done for visitors to BTNR (n=850)

The more revealing information relating to altered usage of the forest comes from the 2006 data which show that 89% of the visitors visit the forest for exercise, trail walk, jogging, and biking, with only 11% of the visitors having nature and bird watching in their mind. It is quite obvious that over the years BTNR is seen more as an exercise spot than as an area for quite appreciation of Nature.
