North-West coastal protection: public engagement

PUB shared their proposal for the Sungei Buloh area to be allowed to be temporarily flooded during extreme weather events. This can help to preserve mangroves lining the north-west coast. Mr Isaac Ong, the programme head for nature group Singapore Youth for Biodiversity who attended the dialogue, said "I don't think that there should be necessarily an over-engineering of solutions. And I think working with nature instead of working against it is ideal". 

50 people attended the PUB dialogue to engage the public on rising sea levels in the long term. They include communities that frequent the area: cyclists, anglers, nature enthusiasts. As well as engineers, business owners. One participant called for consideration of the fishing community, to loud cheers from fellow anglers in the room.

Studies for the northwest coast are making "steady progress" and are expected to complete in one to two years.

Kusu Pilgrimage 2025: 21 Oct-19 Nov

Expect massive crowds at Marina South Pier during weekends and public holidays. And changes in ferry route to get to Kusu Island, St John's Island, Lazarus Island and Big Sisters Island.

The last remaining lively cultural event that occurs annually in our Southern Islands! The pilgrimage can draw as many as 1,000 devotees in a day. Read more in "Kusu Island comes to life as pilgrimage season kicks off; temple celebrates 100th anniversary" Shermaine Ang Straits Times 15 Oct 2023

During the Pilgrimage Season, Singapore Island Cruise makes separate trips to Kusu and other islands (usually incoporated into one round trip).

Ticket to Kusu Island only
https://tickets.islandcruise.com.sg/tours/singapore/singapore/kusu-pilgrimage-season-2023

Tickets to St John's, Lazarus, Big Sisters Island (minus Kusu)
https://tickets.islandcruise.com.sg/tours/singapore/singapore/roundtrip-ferry

Singapore Island Cruise is the only designated ferry to Kusu. So Marina South Ferries won't take you there. But can still take you to St John's, Lazarus, Big Sisters Island.

Big Sister's Island Monthly Guided Walk: first Sunday every month

A free tour of the terrestrial part of the island, by volunteer guides. Does not include intertidal areas. 

From NParks website

The tour is free but participants must buy their own ferry tickets. You can purchase tickets online from Singapore Island Cruise or Marina South Ferries. 

More about what you can see and do on the island.

Innovative seawalls that create new marine habitats

“Envision living shorelines that grow resilient with time, fortified by our native ecosystems and species” Goh Hanyan, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment.  

Among the projects that received PUB grants to develop innovative solutions: Concrete waste recycled into carbon dioxide-storing concrete for seawalls. The CO2 used is captured from emissions by manufacturing, chemical and petroleum companies.

Covering breakwaters with shells which could weaken waves and serve as a new habitat for marine life. If the breakwater is near mangroves, the tree roots can capture more sediments and raise the forest floor, helping it keep up with sea-level rise. 

Virtual models to help restore mangroves and seagrass meadows more optimally by understanding how sediments shape these habitats. One model simulates how sediments move within complex root systems, using field data from Rhizophora mangroves in South-east Asia.

Through Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute’s (CFI) projects, more than 90 researchers and students have been trained, growing Singapore’s pool of coastal protection and flood management specialists.

Tick the box at the Secret Mangrove Lagoon

There is a secret lagoon on Seringat-Kias opposite the Business District on mainland Singapore. This small opening in the seawall connects the lagoon to the sea. 

We came to see the tiny box jellyfish that have been noted to thrive here. Thanks to guidance from Mathias Luk, we were not disappointed! We also checked up on the super rare mangroves thriving here, and had a quick look at Eagle Bay. Sadly, seagrasses there are still not doing well. 

800ha reclaimed at Pulau Tekong using poldering method

Addressing the Tekong polder’s environmental impacts, HDB said it had tasked an independent consultant to study the project’s effects and minimise damage. Taking in nature group feedback and the National Parks Board’s input, arborists identified and transplanted endangered plant species to other places like Pulau Ubin. HDB said surveys of nearby habitats showed that there were no significant changes to these habitats before and after construction of the land reclamation project. They cited how similar species of flora and fauna such as sea grapes, sea stars and sea sponges continue to be observed in the area.

The natural shores nearest Pulau Tekong is Beting Bronok, which we survey every year. Despite the ongoing reclamation works on Pulau Tekong, and flaring at Penggerang Johor, it remains alive, but seems to be dying slowly over the years. 

The small patch rich with delicate colourful animals waxes and wanes through the years, but have never regained their former glory. Seagrasses are taking over as much of the shore has become very soft and silty. Here's our last survey in Jun 2025.