Kikkoman donates S$0.5 million for new mangrove arboretum at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve for conservation and education to mark its 30th anniversary in Singapore

2,000 native mangrove trees will be planted 

Singapore, 5 October 2015 – Kikkoman Singapore, the local manufacturing facility of Japan-based soy sauce manufacturer Kikkoman Corporation, today announced a S$0.5 million sponsorship for the National Parks Board’s (NParks) new mangrove arboretum at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Coastal Trail for mangrove conservation, education and public outreach.  This sponsorship marks Kikkoman Singapore’s 30^th anniversary celebrations.

The arboretum is expected to have about 35 native ‘true’ mangrove species, which refers to plants that only occur in the mangrove environment.  It will enable us to conserve species like the Eye of the Crocodile (Bruguiera hainesii) which is listed as globally critically endangered because there are only about 200 mature trees of this species in the world. The objective of the arboretum is to ensure that Singapore is able to conserve such species in a Nature Reserve. (See Media Factsheet A for more information)

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, launched the arboretum today by planting a locally endangered mangrove tree known as Dungun (Heritiera littoralis) together with Mr Yuzaburo Mogi, Honorary CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kikkoman Corporation, and Japanese Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Haruhisa Takeuchi.  There was also a symbolic cheque presentation for the S$0.5 million sponsorship. Minister Khaw was joined by about 80 students who planted 200 mangrove trees.

Minister Khaw said, “Mangrove conservation is key to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and in this regard, we place great importance on the establishment of the mangrove arboretum. Sungei Buloh is also home to the largest tract of mangrove forest on mainland Singapore. The arboretum will serve as a focal venue for conservation, education and outreach activities. It is an important project that will contribute to the conservation of mangrove plant species through propagating and planting of native mangrove species.”

Explaining the reason for the sponsorship, Mr Mogi said that Kikkoman strives to conduct its business activities while maintaining harmony with the environment.  The sponsorship announced today contributes to this vision and is in line with Kikkoman’s corporate social responsibility policy, which upholds values such as improving society and protecting the environment and water.

He said, “Kikkoman Singapore is therefore pleased to sponsor S$0.5 million for the new mangrove arboretum at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve for mangrove conservation and education.  Kikkoman Singapore celebrates our anniversary once every five years, and we mark these occasions with a gift to Singapore. For our 30^th anniversary celebrations this year, we are pleased to contribute to the development of the mangrove forest to add to the biodiversity. This sponsorship is also our token of appreciation for the 30 successful years of business that we have enjoyed in Singapore.”

Highlights of new mangrove arboretum

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NParks’ objective is to conserve mangrove trees that are native to Singapore in the mangrove arboretum. These include critically endangered species such as Api-api Jambu (Avicennia marina) and Pisang Pisang Laut (Kandelia candel).The 2,000 mangrove trees will be planted along a 500 metre stretch at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Coastal Trail over two years, starting from this month. Students, volunteers and other community partners will be invited to participate in the nurturing, planting and monitoring of these seedlings collected from various mangrove forests in Singapore.

NParks will also introduce a series of new interpretive signs and outreach programmes at the mangrove arboretum at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Coastal Trail to increase awareness about mangrove conservation among visitors and foster greater appreciation of mangrove plant species.

A three-hour education programme sponsored by Kikkoman Singapore will be designed around the interesting features of the mangrove arboretum to engage young children between the ages of 4 and 6 to play and learn in a natural environment. The children will learn more about our mangroves through guided walks, and participation in hands-on activities such as mangrove-planting, and making nature-theme artwork. This outreach programme will be available from June 2016, and will be organised about four times a year.

Importance of protecting Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve’s mangrove forests

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve became Singapore's first ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003, and is recognised as a site of international importance for migratory birds. (See Media Factsheet B for more information). The 31-hectare Coastal Trail, which is part of the Reserve, was officially opened on 6 December 2014 and features rich mangrove and coastal forests.

It is critical to protect and conserve Singapore’s mangrove forests as they are home to diverse species of fauna as fish, crabs, shrimps, molluscs and birds. Their roots provide hiding places for young fishes and shrimps and their branches provide shelter and nesting areas for birds, such as herons. Furthermore, the mangrove ecosystem is a source of food and a nursery ground for a number of fish species that are important to local fisheries.

In addition, mangrove habitats are important to the marine environment. The roots of mangrove plants trap sediments and prevent mud and sand from being washed away, stabilising the coastline and preventing erosion from waves and storms. Mangroves also physically protect coastlines by breaking the sea waves during storm surges and help shield seagrass beds and coral reefs from the effects of siltation.

Factsheet A: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Mangrove Arboretum 

Factsheet B: Migratory birds at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve