Singapore built the first ecological bridge in Southeast Asia

The first eco-bridge project in Singapore and in Southeast Asia was almost completed after representatives of government agencies and civil organizations celebrated planting trees on the bridge on October 5.

Connecting the two nature reserves through the Bukit Timah Expressway, the ecological bridge called Eco-Link @ BKE will allow wild animals to freely move from side to side and vice versa. It is expected that this 16 million USD bridge will be completed in December this year.

Photos: greatnewplaces.com

The National Park Management Board (Nparks) said that many animals crossing the bridge will benefit rare species of native plants such as palm which are pollinated by animals. Nparks hopes this new bridge will become a means to exchange palm genes between two natural reserves, enhancing their survival opportunities.

Before that, when the Bukit Timah highway was completed 25 years ago, the wild life in this area was divided. Many animals have been killed by vehicles when trying to cross the road to the other side to find food and mates.

Nparks hopes that in the long term, ecological demand will help restore ecological balance in fragmented natural areas and create an environment that encourages biodiversity.

Under the plan, the public will be restricted to contact with Eco-Link @ BKE in the first years. However, the Nparks will work closely with natural conservation groups to organize field trips where possible without disturbing the natural life in these reserves in the future.