Mindef should be more tree-friendly

Straits Times Forum 22 Jan 09;

THE Defence Ministry (Mindef) has conducted extensive clearing of Singapore's forest in several areas, such as along Woodlands-Mandai (beside the Kranji Expressway), Jalan Bahar and Jalan Kayu (beside the Tampines Expressway) over the past three years.

These cleared plots, which have Mindef signage, have remained empty for the past few years.

Trees take several years to grow to a good size and serve numerous useful functions. For example, they help to remove carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, from the air. Trees also absorb heat and provide shade.

I appeal to Mindef to replace the carbon sink by planting back the same number of trees that were removed, and to consider relocating some of the valuable and mature trees as some of the developers and institutions have done.

Most importantly, I would like to appeal to Mindef to minimise the destruction of the valuable but fast-disappearing secondary rainforest left in Singapore.

Finally, I would encourage Mindef to contribute to the environment as part of its social responsibility. This is crucial as Mindef has ownership of relatively big plots of state land. Such privileges should come with responsibility.

I strongly urge Mindef to do the right thing for the environment and send the right message to our youth.

Dr Tan Lay Pheng