Over the past few weeks, Maju Forest has become one of Singapore’s most talked-about green spaces. After the Housing & Development Board (HDB) announced plans to develop part of the forest for a future public housing estate, conversations sparked across social media, petitions, community groups and neighbourhood meetings.
And it’s easy to see why. Granted, Singapore needs more homes, especially in well-connected neighbourhoods like Clementi. But at the same time, every remaining patch of mature forest is becoming increasingly precious, especially in a tiny city like Singapore.
If you’ve been out of the news, here’s what you need to know.
What is Maju Forest?
Maju Forest is a 23-hectare mature secondary forest located around Sunset Way, between Clementi Road and Brookvale Drive. While it isn’t a gazetted nature reserve, decades of natural regeneration have transformed the site into a thriving habitat for wildlife and native plants.
The forest also sits next to the Rail Corridor and Clementi Forest, forming part of a larger green network that allows animals to move between habitats instead of becoming isolated in small patches of greenery.
Why are people trying to save Maju Forest?
For many conservationists, Maju Forest is much more than just another patch of trees.
The forest acts as a wildlife corridor, allowing animals to live and forage safely across connected landscapes.
286 plant species and 113 animal species live in Maju Forest, including several of conservation significance. It’s also home to a natural freshwater stream, making it one of the more ecologically valuable secondary forests in Singapore.
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