Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
The Bukit Timah - Reserve (English Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Bukit Timah or Natural Resort ) is a part of primary rain forest to thinned secondary forest reserve existing within Singapore, about one kilometer north of the district of Bukit Timah. Only in Rio de Janeiro there is a second time on earth is a primary rainforest within the city limits.
628 km ² measures across Singapore, 51.4 % are now built (2005 ) and rising. Already in the 1880s, the wilderness was taken to 90%, now account for only 28.6 km ² of forested areas, which corresponds to 4.5% of the total area. The 164 -acre reserve is only 12 kilometers from the city center. The highest point is Bukit Timah the ( malaii. " Zinnberg " ) with 163.8 meters. The volcanic granite rock was formed 200 million years ago in the Early and Middle Triassic.
The conquest of the district of the same name by the Japanese forces brought the final turning point in the Battle of Singapore and led to the surrender of the British.
Biodiversity
Founded in 1883, originally a botanical collection of plants for more than a century, the Bukit Timah Reserve - can boast 912 plant and 98 animal species today. Botanist would speak of a coastal mountain dipterocarp forest because of the 18 different times to 80 meters high Dipterocarpaceae, such as Shorea, Hopea Vatican.JPG and were found here. It mostly involves Shorea curtisii and Dipterocarpus caudatus ssp. penangianus. What is the significance once the hard and heavy wood of the " Tempinis Tree" ( Streblus selongatus ) had for the island, shows that 37 streets and a city - in the local language Tampines - were named after him. Even today are made of him parquet flooring, door and window frames; Today, however, everything has to be imported. Also Rattanlianen ( Korthalsia scaphigera ) can be found in dense forest.
The jungle meets all the requirements of a primary forest with good streaky secondary forest, even if it is traversed by a network with partially concreted pathways. Many residents use it mainly on weekends and holidays. The males of the Green Cicada Dundubia sp. and Old Tigrana are therefore the first natural sound, what you get to hear. Because of the mosquitoes the application of repellents is advisable before entering the forest.
The Vogelnestfarn ( Asplenium nidus ) and the impressive Geweihfarn Platycerium coronarium to be identified as epiphytes in the higher regions. Especially nice to look at is the " Peacock remote " Selaginella willdenowii, which often leaves some shimmering metallic - blue. The one with his instincts hexagonal geometric pattern forming fern Dicranopteris curranii ( " Resamfarn " ), however, is not welcome. It spreads through human influence very aggressive, suppresses other plant species and is therefore weeded regularly.
Some shy snakes - how the paradise tree snake jewelry ( Chrysopelea paradisi ) and the reticulated python (Python reticulatus ) - populate the area, but you will usually hold out for them in vain.
Also sunbirds (like the green back sunbird, Nectarinia vein ) can be observed at flowers. They have undergone a convergent evolution analogous to hummingbirds in the New World and dominate the Schwirrflug. They occur to the Philippines. One of Asia 's popular " talking " bird Beo ( Gracula religiosa), is also to be found in the national park. He irritated both other birds as well as visitors by Rufnachahmung; he imitates mobile ringtones, coughing and laughter, a few words and short sentences. A special, but very rare sight when it is Flaggendrongo ( Dicrurus paradiseus ). His spectacular split long, narrow tail feathers, which expire in oval, jewelry shaped spring surfaces can think of a bird of paradise, but the drongos form their own family. With a sky-blue back and black base, the fairy bluebird presented ( Irena puella ). The Woodpecker Dinopium javanense with bright red mop, you will probably most likely be heard as get to see. Frequently, however, is the on -gray -white- bluish background black dotted butterfly Idea stolli logani ( "Common Tree Nymph " ), rarely the small but brightly colored " Branded Imperial" Eooxylides tharis distanti.
Few mammals are still listed, including the long-tailed, which is often found on the hiking trails and garbage cans. Extra for him developed a shatter-proof locking system. Only rarely you will have the good fortune, a Malay - glider (C. variegatus ) to sift frequently been nice croissants as the banana croissant ( Callosciurus notatus ) and the Sunda Slim squirrel ( Sundasciurus tenuis ). Hardly any chance you have a Malayan pangolin ( Manis javanica ). And you could tiger (Panthera tigris ) is still frequently heard at the beginning of the 20th century in the vicinity of Bukit Timah, the last on 26 October 1930, killed by a Mr. Ong Kim Hock
For a change, you should make on the way back also has a small loop on the Taban Loop. Is still time, well worth the small, labyrinthine and very well documented Hindhedge Nature Park to the left of the visitor center a visit. From the vantage point you can enjoy a view of the former, now fully accrued granite quarry Hindhedge Quarry.