Good job!

We arrived at the reservoir later than usual. The morning joggers have long gone. I started running but the mid-day sun overhead quickly took its toll, forcing me to slow down.

As I slowed to a leisurely stroll, I began to enjoy the rhythmic hum of crickets and insects. Suddenly, a flash of brilliant blue sped across my path. It was a kingfisher in flight! Butterflies of all hues and patterns like the Bluebottle, Malayan Lace Wing and Grass Yellows were fluttering about in the sun. Even the wildflowers were displaying their colourful blooms.

I stumbled on a plaque obscured by overgrown ferns and plants. Upon closer look, I could make out it was installed on 3 November 1991 to commemorate the reforestation project at the Upper Peirce Reservoir Park by (then) Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.

While there are beautiful lakes and rivers in other countries, we have some impressive reservoirs in Singapore, our tiny island with little natural resources to boast of.

As far as I can see, the project has been very successful because the plants have definitely proliferated so much they hide the plaque from public’s view. Today, even a big community of macaques lives here. Our authorities have done a good job indeed.

In case you’re interested to know… Peirce Reservoir, originally named the Kalang River Reservoir, is Singapore's second reservoir. It was impounded across the lower reaches of the Kalang River in 1910. Following the development of Peirce Reservoir, the forest surrounding the reservoir was protected as a water catchment reserve. Much of this forest along the northern shore of what is now known as Upper Peirce used to be thriving gambier and pepper plantations in the late 19th century. In 1922, Kalang River Reservoir was renamed Peirce Reservoir in commendation of the services of Mr Robert Peirce, who was the municipal engineer of Singapore from 1901-1916. In 1975, a major water supply project to develop new water resources was undertaken to support Singapore's rapid housing and industrialisation programmes. A dam was constructed at the upper reaches of the Peirce Reservoir, forming the Upper Peirce and Lower Peirce reservoirs.