Birding in Singapore - A brand new Nature Park abandoned? Why??

The Bukit Batok Hillside Nature Park was built around early 1990s by the HDB as a 'rugged park' like those of New Zealand which it tried to emulate. Built on hilly grounds that was good for hiking but also with family friendly facilities like exercise yards, pergolas and gazebos for viewing the scenic panoramas. It also had a HIDDEN WATERFALL that could only be seen during heavy rainfall.
It was handed over to the Town Council to manage but was closed soon after and abandoned. It has since reverted into a secondary forest and the former park has been slated to be cleared for new housing projects.
The reason it was closed was that it cost too much for the Town Council to maintain and there were few visitors to the park. It was a wrong park at the wrong place at the wrong time. Bukit Batok West was still undeveloped and the park was in an isolated area then.
While it was closed, it became a haven for small wild creatures and birds especially in the last few years when the adjacent Bulim Forest was being cleared for the building of Tengah New Town.
The former Hillside Nature Park is now under pressure from deforestation but currently remains a hidden gem for birders. But not for long. Go visit before it's all gone.

To find the hidden waterfall, go to this link for directions:-
https://ijamestann.blogspot.com/2021/...