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Mr Tan said the additional retained areas at both plots provide a \u201ccompromise\u201d, as development stress is contained within the same areas, and not shifted to another patch of forest.<\/p>\n
The enlarged areas will also be safeguarded as new nature parks, with opportunities for the community to participate in habitat enhancement efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cNature park means there will be trails. Residents can also go in and join the nature spaces. So basically, creating more green spaces for the residents around as well, on top of enhancing the connectivity that’s already existing,\u201d said Mr Tan.<\/p>\n
Dr Shawn Lum, a lecturer at Nanyang Technological University\u2019s Asian School of the Environment, said he was \u201cpleasantly surprised\u201d and \u201cgreatly heartened\u201d to hear about the revised plans.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is still a considerable clearance, but by retaining roughly half, in theory, most of the diversity that was present in the original space can still be maintained in the slightly reduced … space,\u201d said Dr Lum, who is also an NSS member.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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