Revamped Big Sister’s Island reopens to the public after three years of enhancement works, featuring a floating boardwalk, coastal forest trail, and a lagoon tidal pool.
The renovated island now offers “more opportunities to get close to Singapore’s rich array of marine and terrestrial biodiversity such as coral reefs and mangroves,” according to the National Parks Board (NParks).
Minister for National Development Desmond Lee highlighted the importance of these enhancements, stating, “Events such as oil spills and coral bleaching are a sobering reminder of just how vulnerable our marine ecosystems are.”
The floating boardwalk, spanning 220 meters, serves as a coral habitat and research site, where visitors can observe corals and different species of fish. Five moon pools along the boardwalk allow for marine experiments and research to be carried out, supporting the growth of marine biodiversity.
The smaller of the existing lagoons at Big Sister’s Island has been transformed into a tidal pool, providing sheltered water that boosts the growth of marine plants and animals. Singtel’s generous donation of S$1 million supports the development of the tidal pool and marine research programs, turning it into a marine classroom.
Visitors can now trek up the new Ocean Network Express Coastal Forest Trail, where they can observe critically endangered coastal species and enjoy a panoramic view of the island. The trail is supported by a S$1 million donation from Ocean Network Express through NParks’ Garden City Fund.
Additionally, Sisters’ Islands has become a net-zero energy marine park, fully powered by solar energy, with a solar farm providing all the island’s electricity needs and supporting a solar-powered desalination plant.
In terms of conservation, NParks has introduced various features to enhance the marine biodiversity, such as reef enhancement units for marine life habitat, mineral accretion technology to stimulate the growth of hard corals, and the creation of additional nesting sites for wildlife.
The revamped Sisters’ Islands Marine Park not only offers a unique environment for visitors to explore and appreciate marine biodiversity, but it also plays a vital role in conservation, research, outreach, and education.
This rewritten article includes conclusive and descriptive information about the revamped Big Sister’s Island, incorporating quoted highlights from the original source.
