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NewsAsia 5 Nov 04 NParks opens $1.6m treetop walk at MacRitchie for educational outings By Rita Zahara Fancy a walk among the treetops? The National Parks Board has developed a $1.6 million treetop walk at the Central Catchment Reserve in MacRitchie - the first of its kind in Singapore. If you are afraid of heights, you may not be able to stomach this 250-metre walk. Unlike most other tree-top walks, which are anchored on trees, this walkway is suspended 25 metres above the forest floor - adding an element of excitement as one takes in the beauty and tranquility of the forest. The free-standing suspension bridge connects the two highest points in MacRitchie, offering a spectacular bird's eye view of the community of plants and animals living in the forest. It also provides another avenue for nature appreciation and recreation for the community. Some 80 species of birds and 18 rare trees have been spotted in the forest. Mr Subaraj Rajathurai, Nature Guide and Consultant, said: "Just in the last few years, we have found new reptiles, new mammals, new birds and also a lot of our bird life tend to use this canopy layer. "So with this canopy walkway, it gives us the opportunity to be up in the canopy, at eye-level with many of these creatures and that is brilliant." Ms Sharon Chan, Assistant Director of Central Nature Reserve at NParks, said: "This tree top walk itself gives us that element of research to see what is happening at the tree top level, what are the pollination, what are the flowering patterns, and it is a chance for us to get a new perspective of the ecosystem." The tree top walk also provides an ideal setting for educational outings. But be prepared to walk some four hours to get there as the nearest parking area is some five kilometres away at the entrance to MacRitchie Reservoir Park. - CNA links Fact sheet on the Tree Top Walk with links to more articles. |
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