New nature parks in Bukit Batok, Mandai mangrove & mudflats, to open from 2028

Plans for two new features in Singapore's natural landscape are underway.

The upcoming Bukit Batok Nature Corridor and Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park are both expected to open progressively from 2028, said Minister for National Development Desmond Lee.

In a Jan. 22 Facebook post, he listed some planned features, including enhanced trails and boardwalks in Bukit Batok, and bird hides at the Mandai wetland park.

The new features will help extend Singapore's natural capital and provide Singaporeans with more nature-based recreation opportunities, he said.

The National Parks Board (NParks) said it will ensure that enhancement work is carried out "sensitively", with mitigation measures implemented.

Bukit Batok Nature Corridor

The Bukit Batok Nature Corridor will comprise over 125 hectares of nature parks and 10km of trails, connecting Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the future Tengah Forest Corridor.

The corridor includes the existing Bukit Batok Nature Park and Bukit Batok Town Park, as well as the upcoming Bukit Batok Hillside Nature Park and Bukit Batok Central Nature Park.

After the refresh, trails and amenities between Bukit Batok Nature Park and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve will be improved.

Existing trails will be refurbished, and boardwalks and viewing decks will be installed over the quarry.

Meanwhile, the upcoming Bukit Batok Hillside Nature Park will be developed with new trails and an enhanced natural stream.

More native flora will also be planted to provide habitats for animals within the park.

According to the environmental impact assessment (EIA) conducted for the project, over 1,200 flora and fauna species were recorded in the Bukit Batok Nature Corridor.

Of these, 200 were found to be of conservation significance.

Notable fauna include the Sunda pangolin, the straw-headed bulbul, and the grey-headed fish eagle.

Mitigation measures such as avoiding areas with high conservation value and salvaging plants of conservation significance will be implemented.

Members of the public can view the EIA report here and submit their feedback to NParks between Jan. 22 and Feb. 21.

Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park

Over at the northern coast of the island, the upcoming Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park will be situated about 3km to the east of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

The mudflat is one of the richest wetlands in Singapore, containing one of Singapore's few remaining mangrove forests.

Apart from being home to several locally endangered species of seagrasses and animals, like horseshoe crabs and the buffy fish owl, the mudflat is also a rich feeding ground for migratory shorebirds.

Studies have shown that many shorebirds that roost at Sungei Buloh at high tide will fly to Mandai mangrove at low tide to forage.

This means that both sites are ecologically inter-dependent habitats for shorebirds, making them key for shorebird conservation in Singapore.

The park will be approximately 72.8 hectares in size, and will be "sensitively planned" to minimise the impact on the mudflat, said NParks.

For instance, there will be new nodes, trails and bird hides to allow visitors to view the migratory birds, without disturbing them.

At the same time, nature-based solutions are planned for coastal restoration and reinforcement, and to support mangrove regeneration and habitat re-creation.

The EIA for Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park recorded a total of 580 flora and fauna species.

It will be published in February 2025, NParks said.

Members of the public can submit their views once the report is made public.

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Top image from NParks