WHEN millions of birds migrate 12,000 km each year to avoid wintering in Siberia, Russia, a significant number stop over at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to rest on their way to countries in the southern hemisphere.

The reserve lies in the flight path known as the East Asian Australasian Flyway.

For providing a safe haven, it yesterday earned recognition as an internationally important site for these migratory birds.

It also became the first South-east Asian site to be inducted into the East Asian Australasian Shorebird Site Network by Wetlands International, a Dutch-based non-government organisation.

The network was set up to promote an exchange of information between the sites important to the conservation of migratory birds.

Australia, China and Japan are among the 10 countries already in the network. There are now 31 sites in these countries, and Wetlands International is working towards including at least 100 of the 400 important sites on its list.

The recognition comes at a time when the Sungei Buloh reserve is counting down to its 10th anniversary next year. A slew of activities has been planned, like mangrove planting sessions and photography and journal-writing competitions.

Minister of State for National Development Vivian Balakrishnan said Sungei Buloh will be a place which will 'translate to rootedness here'.

But when asked how many other areas could become nature sites, he said: 'I think I need to preface it by saying that we need to be balanced about it.

'We want to keep as many areas as possible in their natural state, so that our people and our children can enjoy it. But we also need to balance this against other needs - housing, industrial, commercial.'

Of the status of eight nature areas omitted from the Urban Redevelopment Authority's recent draft plan on parks and water bodies here, he said: 'The fact that they were not named doesn't necessarily mean that we don't want them or that they are not being considered. Our attitude is not to lose any nature areas wherever possible.'

Public feedback is being sought on the plan, he added. 'If there are areas where we have to lose something, we'll make sure that we've done all the homework, consulted all the stakeholders and that we've come up with win-win solutions.'