{"id":27786,"date":"2026-01-12T05:21:37","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T21:21:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=27786"},"modified":"2026-01-12T05:21:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T21:21:37","slug":"singaporean-of-the-year-finalist-he-built-woodlands-botanical-garden-to-help-others-seek-comfort","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=27786","title":{"rendered":"Singaporean of the Year finalist: He built Woodlands Botanical Garden to help others seek comfort"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SINGAPORE \u2013 In the thick of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Mr Ganesh Kumar <\/p>\n

planted a pink hibiscus plant<\/p>\n

<\/a> to help him overcome the grief of losing his mother.<\/p>\n

What began as a small gesture of healing later transformed into a thriving garden in Woodlands that is now one of the largest community gardens here. <\/p>\n

The 41-year-old, who was suffering from depression, hopes that others can also find solace and joy in the garden he so painstakingly built.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing in their shoes, I understand just how difficult it is, and I thought, why not create a space like a sanctuary for everyone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne question I got the most often was, \u2018What are you going to plant next?\u2019 That idea that people put in my head helped me forget the sadness I was going through\u2026 It gave me a sense of purpose. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey shared with me how happy they were that there was some colour now (in the garden) instead of just green, and then I realised, why not share these same colours, which brought me happiness all these years, with other people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Located on the northern slope of Woodlands Town Park East, Woodlands Botanical Garden (WBG) used to be a barren nine-storey-high hill covered with grass and lalang, with few signs of fauna. <\/p>\n

It was initially just a 50 sq m garden managed by Mr Ganesh, his father and his helper at the time.<\/p>\n

Today, with the help of some volunteers, the garden spans 4,000 sq m and is home to over 350 plant species and 300 animal species, including multiple vulnerable species in Singapore, he said.<\/p>\n

Some of the plants housed there include the Pink Mussaenda, Yellow Candle Bush, Yellow-Red Tecoma, Red Single Camellia and Yellow Pagoda. Various species of butterflies also flit from flower to flower. The garden has even attracted a Fiery Coraltail damselfly, which is rare here.<\/p>\n

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Woodlands Botanical Garden spans 4,000 sq m and is home to over 350 plant species and 300 animal species, said Mr Ganesh Kumar.<\/p>\n

ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

WBG is one of the largest community gardens under the National Parks Board\u2019s gardening programme, Community In Bloom. <\/p>\n

Mr Ganesh is a finalist for The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year award, which is given to a Singaporean or group of citizens who have made a significant contribution to society.<\/p>\n