We gained much insight on the history
of Lower Seletar Reservoir at the Viewing Deck upon reaching another station we
had been to.
In the past, Lower Seletar Reservoir was known as Srí Lohíta,
meaning Straits in Malay. The reservoir itself was a place where trade took
place. Back in the 19th century, goods such as kerosene and tobacco
were traded along the water body. Farmers too had their plantations, such as
pineapple and rubber plantations, near the reservoir. It was a rural area then,
and the villagers there mainly grew crops as their source of livihood.
Lower Seletar Reservoir (called
Seletar Reservoir at that time) was built in the 1920s in order to support
Singapore’s increasing population and industralisation and to meet the growing
water needs. In 1969, the reservoir’s capacity was greatly expanded.
Now, instead of old huts,
high-rise buildings have come to replace them. From the rural settlements with
low population density, basic amenities and linear settlements, the place has
changed greatly due to urbanization and now, we have the present day urban
settlements with high population density and wide range of amenities such as shopping
malls and hospitals.
Despite all the changes, there
are still things that are the same. People still fish there, but with different
purpose. Although being expanded, the water body is still there. Now, Lower
Seletar Reservoir serves a different purpose. Instead being a place for trade,
it is there to supply Singapore with water. We should all value the clean and
safe drinking water we have today.
No comments:
Post a Comment