Clementi bird sanctuary under threat

Proposed road will cut through haven in Clementi
Letter from Chow Bee Lin Today Online 24 Feb 11;

IN RESPONSE to residents' request to resolve peak-hour traffic congestion along Jalan Lempeng Road, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has decided to build a road that cuts through an unspoilt bird sanctuary right behind the ITE College West Clementi Campus. I hope the LTA will reconsider its decision.

The proposed new road may somewhat ease traffic congestion during peak hours but it will also destroy the dynamic biodiversity of the bird sanctuary where two migratory species - the Hooded and the Blue-winged Pitta - and the globally endangered Long-tailed Parakeet are sighted.

According to the Nature Society of Singapore, the Long-tailed Parakeet is common in Singapore but is endangered in many parts of the world, and the Hooded and the Blue-winged Pitta are not commonly found in Singapore.

I sincerely hope the LTA will explore better options for easing the peak-hour traffic congestion along Jalan Lempeng. During peak hours, drivers are likely to continue using Jalan Lempeng which leads directly to the expressways, instead of the proposed new road which diverts traffic to Commonwealth Avenue West heading to Jurong East.

The traffic congestion along Jalan Lempeng Road occurs only on weekdays between 7am and 7.30am, when classes at Nan Hua Primary School begin, and from 1pm to 1.30pm when classes end. If we can bear with this one hour of traffic congestion per day, we will be able to salvage some of our natural habitat.

I hope the LTA will refrain from building a road across the precious bird sanctuary, and that it will help save Singapore's fast disappearing greenery and preserve our natural habitat for the sake of our future generations.

Some of us would rather have a road
Today Online 28 Feb 11;

I read with interest Ms Chow Bee Lin's letter criticising the LTA's decision to build a road in Clementi, "Bird sanctuary under threat" (Feb 24). Like many conservationists, the letter writer believed herself to be speaking up not only for her beliefs, but also "for the sake of our future generations".

However, it is anybody's guess what future generations would prefer. It is at least conceivable that future Singaporeans would prefer the convenience of an additional road to the preservation of natural habitat.

Ms Chow is well within her rights to voice her own opinions and personal preferences. But she and other conservationists should refrain from claiming to speak for unborn persons when they cannot possibly do so. Letter from Daryl Yong