Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve joined other wetlands globally to celebrate World Wetlands Day on 12 Feb 2011.

Commemorated since 1967, World Wetlands Day celebrates the importance of the wetland habitat. It also aims to educate and raise awareness of wetlands’ impact on human lives.

On this significant ‘green date’, Sungei Buloh hosted some four hundred visitors, with engaging activities and displays to commemorate the occasion. There was a poster exhibition that discussed the importance of the mangrove forest, along with four hands-on educational stations: food tasting, uses of mangroves, common marine fish of the mangroves, and specimens of mangrove flora and fauna. There were also several guided tours showcasing the hidden beauty of the mangrove forests.

The flora and fauna of the mangroves are responsible for many scientific breakthroughs, which were highlighted in the poster exhibition. For instance, in 1999, Japanese researchers observed that substances extracted from a mangrove tree species, Rhizophora apiculata, could inhibit HIV strains growth in cell systems. This, and other medicinal uses of the mangrove flora, are significant medically.

The exhibition also highlighted the ability of mangroves to trap carbon in the atmosphere, which has the potential to help in countering the effects of climate change. It also presented some products of the mangrove forest that are close to the hearts of Singaporeans – fresh seafood!

Also launched was a new wireless learning system, the ColorZip Wireless Trail at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. It allows visitors to use their smartphones to scan colour codes at many locations around the reserve, and receive information about the flora and fauna nearby. These activities and learning opportunities help to develop a greater love and appreciation of Sungei Buloh among the community. Whether on World Wetlands Day or throughout the year, this beloved wetland reserve will remain beloved by those who appreciate the wonders of its amazing biodiversity.

By Mendis Tan 

For a preview of the ColorZip Wireless Trail, just go to your smartphone's browser and type in this address: http://czip.sg/Download the latest reader, then start the application and take a photo of either of the ColorCodes below!

Are you interested to find out more about Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve? We have three copies of Wetlands in a City, a beautiful coffee table book about the Reserve, to give away! Simply take part in our contest for your chance to take Sara home. 

Specimens of the mangrove’s flora and fauna were exhibited at a hands-on station on World Wetlands Day.
Visitors on World Wetlands Day learnt about the importance of mangroves through a poster exhibition.

 
Along the Colorzip Wireless Trail, visitors to Sungei Buloh can learn about its flora and fauna using their smartphones.