At our fifth station, we gained much insights of the history of the Lower Seletar Reservoir. It was once known as Sri Lohita (meaning: Straits in Malay). In the 19th century, people used to grow crops such as rubber and pineapple. They also traded at the reservoir for herbs and goods such as, tobacco and kerosene. There were rural settlements there and people in that time grow crops as their livelihood. In the 1920s, Lower Seletar Reservoir was known as Seletar Reservoir, Seletar Reservoir was built to support Singapore’s increasing population and industrialisation. It was a popular leisure spot for people during the 1960s.
There are some differences between the past and the present of the reservoir. In the past, it is very forested and people live in huts made of wood or sticks, However, people are living in high-rise buildings now. The amenities of the past and the present differs too. In the past, people only have pathways to walk but now, there is a wide range of transportation, such as MRT trains, busses and cars etcetera. The settlement pattern also differs too. In the past, it was a linear settlement as the reservoir was a source of livelihood for them. However, it is a nucleated settlement as present technology is advanced and economy of Singapore has greatly increased.
People’s source of entertainment differs. Like now, people play golf at the golf course but in the past, people only play with perhaps stones.
However, there are similarities too! Despite the reservoir being expanded, the water body still remains. The greenery at the reservoir is still present. People still continue fishing but for different purposes.
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