The Singapore Countryside

There is a large and fascinating hinterland out there, the Singapore countryside. This lies mostly north of the Pan Island Expressway, in as-yet undeveloped areas of Bukit Batok, Kranji, Yio Chu Kang, Khatib Bongsu, Simpang, and other areas.  There are hills that are still wooded, rivers that are still unconcretised, ponds and marshes that are still unreclaimed and where the wildlife is just as interesting as in the nature reserves.  Its full potential and value as an outdoor playground for Singaporeans and expatriates to loosen up their minds and bodies have yet to be realised.

In the early 1990s, when the issue of the Kranji Heronry was hot, 43 letters were sent to The Straits Times protesting against the project of converting the site into a transmission station.  It was astounding compared to the dearth of letters on the issue of the elected presidency that was also current then.