SINGAPORE \u2013 More than 52ha of forested land and streams near Nanyang Technological University is slated to be cleared for the expansion of an industrial district in Jurong. <\/p>\n
JTC Corporation said on Dec 1 that the clearance is for the development of the CleanTech Park and Bahar precincts of the <\/p>\n 620ha Jurong Innovation District, a five-precinct advanced manufacturing hub<\/p>\n <\/a> that is being progressively built since 2019. <\/p>\n The 116ha project site for the CleanTech Park, which will be Singapore\u2019s first eco-business park, and Bahar is located along Jalan Bahar, near the PIE intersection. <\/p>\n Larger than Thomson Nature Park, the forested area comprises a mix of mature forest patches, vegetation that has recolonised abandoned kampungs and plantations, as well as forest streams, a rare habitat here that cannot be easily re-created. <\/p>\n A total of 56 flora and fauna species significant for conservation are expected to be affected, including the heavily trafficked Sunda pangolin and the harlequin butterfly, a reddish brown insect adorned with silver spots on the brink of extinction in Singapore. <\/p>\n The size of the area was tabulated by The Straits Times based on figures in an environmental impact assessment commissioned by JTC that was released for public consultation on Dec 1.<\/p>\n The report, prepared by consultancy Aecom Singapore, proposed that about 14.5ha of the natural areas be retained as parks, as well as other measures to limit environmental damage caused by the project, which cuts into a key ecological corridor here. <\/p>\n These spaces will preserve the only known active breeding hot spot for harlequin butterflies on mainland Singapore, and protect trees that harbour a group of non-synchronous bent-winged fireflies and roosting spots for bamboo bats considered to be nationally vulnerable.<\/p>\n A male harlequin butterfly.<\/p>\n PHOTO: KHEW SIN KHOON<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n On the other hand, the total loss of the area\u2019s forest patches and streams \u2013 when combined with other concurrent projects like HDB\u2019s Tengah town and the nearby MRT station \u2013 will result in a major impact on flora and fauna that depend on these areas for survival, the report said.<\/p>\n The<\/p>\n project area<\/p>\n <\/a> cuts into one of Singapore\u2019s four key ecological corridors \u2013 a chain of forested areas used by fauna to move between the Western Catchment forest and Tengah forest.<\/p>\n The loss of this corridor would create a \u201cbottleneck\u201d for wildlife moving between these two biodiversity hot spots, the report said. <\/p>\n This will be especially detrimental for forest-dependent species that rely on the linked habitats to move around, such as the harlequin butterfly, Sunda pangolin and leopard cat.<\/p>\n A Sunda Pangolin in Windsor Nature Park.<\/p>\n PHOTO: NPARKS<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The 596-page report, which compiled data collected between February and November 2023, also noted that forest habitats make up less than 30 per cent of Singapore\u2019s land area.<\/p>\n Other measures proposed by the report to limit the development\u2019s environmental impact include trans-locating flora where possible, and building passageways for wildlife.<\/p>\n However, even with these mitigative measures, the loss of over 40 per cent of habitats and food sources will take a major toll on wildlife.<\/p>\n JTC said that it will study how to retain the natural areas to complement existing green spaces in Jurong Innovation District such as The Potter\u2019s Garden \u2013 the recently rejuvenated 5ha park that was formerly Jurong Eco-Garden. <\/p>\n The developer said it will adopt some recommendations in the report. This includes clearing the site in phases and evaluating the feasibility of planting native vegetation to strengthen existing forest areas.<\/p>\n Conservationists and scientists welcomed the proposed mitigation plan, but called for the proposed measures to be refined, as well as for tougher action to blunt the impact on wildlife.<\/p>\n Butterfly enthusiast Khew Sin Khoon said that while JTC has agreed to defer development of the breeding ground of the harlequin butterflies as long as possible, it should not be turned into a public park with man-made amenities.<\/p>\n An artist’s impression of the CleanTech Park in Jurong Innovation District.<\/p>\n SOURCE: JTC<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The architect, who was consulted by JTC along with other nature groups, said: \u201cThis is usually the opposite of what we should do for sensitive conservation efforts, where critical sites should be left untouched and monitored.\u201d<\/p>\n He cited the example of the western half of Dover Forest where, after discussions with nature groups, HDB designated half of the site meant for flats as a conservation park, with no easy access for the public. <\/p>\n On the bright side, the harlequin butterflies have successfully survived being relocated to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, and have also been regularly spotted at the former Jurong Eco-Garden near the planned expansion.<\/p>\n Said Mr Khew: \u201cWhilst not as many are seen at the same time, at least there is hope that they have moved laterally across the CleanTech buildings and found a new place to breed.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr Charlene Yeong and Ms Sharon Chan, representatives of the Singapore Pangolin Working Group, said that although the report is comprehensive, several aspects had to be reconsidered to ensure that the critically endangered mammal thrives.<\/p>\n For instance, the report did not adequately address what happens to pangolins after they are displaced from the site. <\/p>\n The representatives called for habitat enhancement or expansion in nearby areas, which will also minimise the <\/p>\n chances of pangolins being killed on the road<\/p>\n <\/a>.<\/p>\n They cautioned that the extensive hoarding plan could also create barriers for pangolins \u2013 known to be active in the area near Nanyang Avenue \u2013 which may wind up on the road. <\/p>\n Dr Yeong and Ms Chan urged JTC to find ways to provide safe passage for the animals, such as road closure at night. <\/p>\n They also called on the project to safeguard the ecological corridor, suggesting that existing waterways can be adapted to act as animal corridors to minimise roadkill.<\/p>\n Mr Sankar Ananthanarayanan, a co-editor of conservation initiative Singapore Terrestrial Conservation Plan, lauded JTC\u2019s plan to study the areas for retention and to rehabilitate existing vegetation.<\/p>\n However, the NUS doctoral candidate studying local reptile extinctions warned of long-term drawbacks that arise from translocating wildlife to nearby green spaces.<\/p>\n \u201cEven if flora and fauna found in these spaces are translocated to protected sites, it is restricting the populations to a smaller area, potentially placing additional pressure on the ecosystems they are a part of.\u201d<\/p>\n The environmental impact assessment is available for viewing and feedback at <\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>
<\/picture><\/div>
<\/picture><\/div>
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n