Tips for visitors to our forests, parks and reserves

Coming in a large group? You are required to write-in if your group consists of more than 40 people or if you intend to have food and/or games. Go to the Nparks website for the appropriate application form.

Do not feed the monkeys: You do them more harm than good. Feeding is often a death sentence for a monkey. The forest also suffers as the monkeys no longer disperse seeds that is so important to forest regeneration. more about the harm caused by feeding

Leave your dog at home. Dogs leave a scent which disturbs the native wildlife. Dogs may also dig up or harass wildlife. Wildlife that defend themselves from dogs may injure the dog or the owner. So please leave your pet at home.

Don't release unwanted pets in a wild place: Introduction of non-native animals (and plants) to our wild places can upset the natural balance. The introduced animal may die or worse, thrive and displace our native animals. So please don't release animals such as birds, turtles, fishes or rabbits in our wild places. more about the impact of animal release

Do not rip out "young" saplings to make walking sticks for yourself. These saplings could be 10 years old or more, waiting for a gap to open in the canopy before growing into a big tree.

Stay on the designated paths: the ground is alive with small animals, growing plants and delicate seedlings. Stomping on them will result in a barren area around the route which means there will be less for us to see along the trails. You may also get lost if you stray from the marked trails.

• Getting lost - on local nature trails by Samantha Kudus The Straits Times, 27 Dec 04
  

• Mean and green in S'pore Today Online 24 Sep 05
  More Singaporeans visiting our wild places, and about guides and guided walks

Other standard preparations for a wild visit.

Camping in our wild places and parks
Here's some media articles

• Weekday campers at 5 parks must now get permits: NParks
  By Pearl Forss Channel NewsAsia 4 Nov 05
  Keeping the squatters away New scheme calls for weekday campers to be registered Loh Chee Kong Today Online 5 Nov 05
• Launch of Pulau Ubin Conservation and Management Plans - Ubin-HSBC Volunteer Hub, Chek Jawa, Jelutong Campsite & Bike Park NParks media statement, 29 Apr 05
• Campers complain of overcrowding, littering after lifting of camping permits
  by Ken Teh Channel NewsAsia, 18 Dec 04
• The great escape: camping experiences in Singapore
  The Straits Times, 5 Dec 04
• NParks relaxes rules on camping permits
  Channel NewsAsia 26 Nov 04