LAURA ELIZABETH PHILOMIN Today Online 11 Mar 15;
SINGAPORE — Recognising that old trees are part of Singapore’s natural heritage, efforts have gone into ensuring such trees are not cut down discriminately and are only done so after “very careful consideration”, said Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee.
Last year alone, the National Parks Board (NParks) transplanted some 2,100 mature trees, which had to make way for development works. Speaking during the Committee of Supply debate for the Ministry of National Development today (March 11), Mr Lee said where possible, the Government will find new homes for mature trees that have to be cleared.
He was responding to concerns raised by Member of Parliament Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC), who pointed out that more than 95 per cent of Singapore’s original forest cover has been cleared.
Mr Seah, who is also a board member of NParks, acknowledged there have been some measure of “greening” Singapore. “But I ask that we be clear-eyed about it – a 100-year old tree is surely different from a six-month old shrub and manicured road dividers in term of ecological value,” he pointed out.
Mr Lee, in his response, also noted that 222 trees have been designated as Heritage Trees under the Heritage Trees Scheme which protects mature trees. Some of these trees are more than 150 years old.
In the meantime, NParks has continued to plant trees, and last year more than 38,000 trees were planted, 1.5 times more than the average in recent years, he said. NParks also accelerates replacement of greenery by setting up tree banks to raise semi-mature trees for planting.
Mr Lee also said that by this year, about 300km of park connectors would have been developed, bringing Singapore closer to the goal of 400km by 2030. Singapore has also increased the total area of skyrise greenery to more than 65 hectares. “Where possible, we will incorporate more greenery within our public housing estates and infrastructure such as MRT stations and covered linkways, to create a rich green environment all around us,” he said.
