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Nature tour at Istana open houses to start on Saturday

SINGAPORE — While most visitors to the Istana are there to admire the state rooms or to picnic on its lawns, few have walked through its grounds to appreciate the nature and conservation efforts there.

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SINGAPORE — While most visitors to the Istana are there to admire the state rooms or to picnic on its lawns, few have walked through its grounds to appreciate the nature and conservation efforts there.

During Open House days from this Saturday, visitors will have the chance to take a new tour, called the Nature Guided Walk at the Istana, to learn more about the flora and fauna within its 41ha compound.

The hour-long tour, a collaboration between the National Parks Board (NParks) and the President’s Office, will be led by NParks volunteers, who will share little-known and historical facts about spots in the Istana, such as the Spice Terrace, Function Lawn and the Villa.

The presidential residence is home to more than 200 plant species, including the rare Tiger Orchids, and a conservation sanctuary for many species.

In 2008, two Oriental Pied Hornbills — a rare wild bird species — were released on the Istana’s grounds and became residents there. The pair have since produced eights chicks.

One of NParks’ volunteers, Mr Bian Tan, said visitors will see things that they did not expect on the tour.

“It (the tour) introduces people to the diversity within the city,” said the 52-year-old.

The tours will run between 10am and 4pm. Tickets are priced at S$4 for Singapore citizens and permanent residents, and S$10 for other visitors. Proceeds will be donated to the Community Chest. Besides the nature tour, visitors can also take a guided tour of the Istana building, led by Preservation of Sites and Monuments volunteers on all Open House days.

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