No current plans to designate Tagore forest as a nature reserve: Chee Hong Tat

Minister Chee was addressing parliamentary questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) concerning land planning assessments and decision-making processes for sites deemed ecologically significant. The parliamentary session highlighted the intricate considerations and trade-offs inherent in Singapore’s unique urban planning model, which aims to integrate nature within a high-density built environment.

The Case of Tagore Forest: A Microcosm of Singapore’s Land Dilemma

Workers’ Party MP Kenneth Tiong (Aljunied GRC) specifically queried about the criteria for gazetting nature reserves under the Parks and Trees Act and whether the government would consider designating Tagore forest as such. Tagore forest, a secondary forest located southeast of the intersection between Seletar Expressway and Upper Thomson Road, is a site of particular contention. Under the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) Master Plan, it is currently zoned for residential use, earmarking it for future housing developments. This zoning has put it on a collision course with conservation efforts.

The ecological importance of Tagore forest has gained significant attention. In 2024, a consortium of over 40 scientists and conservationists coalesced to propose studying the protection of the forest, ideally as a nature park, within a comprehensive document titled the Singapore Terrestrial Conservation Plan (STCP). Their argument hinges on the forest’s crucial role as a vital buffer zone surrounding the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), Singapore’s largest nature reserve. Beyond its buffering function, Tagore forest serves as a critical refuge for rare and threatened wildlife, most notably the Raffles’ banded langur ( Presbytis femoralis femoralis), an endangered primate species endemic to Singapore and parts of Malaysia. The langurs rely on such connected forest fragments for foraging, movement, and genetic exchange, making the preservation of buffer zones like Tagore forest paramount for their long-term survival. The STCP’s proposal for a "nature park" designation, while offering a lower level of legal protection compared to a "nature reserve," would nonetheless afford it dedicated management and conservation focus, preventing immediate development.

Minister Chee, in his written parliamentary answer, articulated the government’s approach as "science-based" when prioritising conservation efforts. He explained that the decision to designate an area as a nature reserve involves a rigorous evaluation of its biodiversity and ecological value, assessing its significance to Singapore’s native biodiversity. These ecological considerations, however, are not viewed in isolation. They are meticulously weighed against Singapore’s other pressing land-use needs, which include housing, infrastructure, economic development, and defence. This holistic approach reflects the tough realities of a city-state with finite land resources.

Singapore’s Protected Green Heart: The Nature Reserves

Singapore currently safeguards four nature reserves under the Parks and Trees Act, each representing a unique and critical ecological asset. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, gazetted in 1990, form the bedrock of Singapore’s terrestrial biodiversity. Bukit Timah is a prime example of a primary rainforest remnant, while CCNR encompasses vast tracts of secondary forest and reservoirs. Labrador Nature Reserve and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, gazetted in 2002, protect important coastal and mangrove ecosystems respectively.

"These are assessed to be the most biodiverse areas in Singapore and are representative of Singapore’s native landscapes," Minister Chee affirmed. "They also safeguard a range of habitats and serve as strongholds for various endemic and threatened species." The gazetting of these areas provides the highest level of legal protection, prohibiting development and ensuring their long-term ecological integrity.

The government’s commitment extends beyond these core reserves. URA works in close collaboration with the National Parks Board (NParks) to integrate ecological and biodiversity considerations "upstream" in their land use planning processes, specifically within the Long-Term Plan and the Master Plan. This proactive integration aims to minimise conflicts between development and conservation by identifying ecologically sensitive areas early in the planning cycle.

Minister Chee highlighted that Singapore has already set aside over 7,800 hectares of green spaces, a figure projected to increase to 8,800 hectares by 2035. This represents a substantial commitment in a country spanning approximately 730 square kilometres. These green spaces are diverse, encompassing not just nature reserves but also designated nature areas and nature parks that serve as crucial buffers to the core reserves, along with a network of parks and other green spaces that fulfil both ecological and recreational functions for residents.

NParks’ island-wide Ecological Profiling Exercise is instrumental in this strategy. This comprehensive assessment identifies key ecological corridors that facilitate connectivity between core habitats, and pinpoints critical wildlife corridors requiring dedicated monitoring and management. Projects like EcoLink@BKE, an arboreal bridge spanning the Bukit Timah Expressway, serve as tangible examples of these efforts, allowing wildlife to safely traverse fragmented landscapes. "This enables us to integrate nature into our urban environment and everyday lives," he added, encapsulating Singapore’s "City in Nature" vision – a paradigm shift from a "Garden City" to one where nature is deeply interwoven into the urban fabric.

Meeting Housing Supply: A Balancing Act

The parliamentary debate also delved into the perennial challenge of meeting Singapore’s housing demand. Minister Chee explained that housing agencies meticulously consider demographic and socioeconomic trends, prevailing market conditions, and the supply of resale flats to project and meet Singaporeans’ needs across various locations and timeframes. A significant driver of demand is the desire for housing near existing estates, enabling young families, seniors, and singles to live closer to their families for mutual care and support.

"It is not possible to predict future housing demand with 100 per cent accuracy as the key demand drivers have varying degrees of uncertainty," he conceded. "Nevertheless, we expect housing demand to remain strong in the near to medium term, due to strong household formation rates and decreasing household sizes." This sustained demand puts immense pressure on available land.

Workers’ Party MP Dennis Tan (Hougang GRC) questioned whether the government would consider intensifying existing or planned low-density residential areas, including Good Class Bungalow (GCB) areas and developments near MRT stations, to alleviate pressure on greenfield sites.

Minister Chee affirmed that where feasible, the government prioritises intensifying land usage, co-locating facilities, and making better use of under-utilised spaces. This includes activating suitable brownfield sites – previously developed land – "as far as possible" within the required timeframe, before resorting to sites with significant greenery or heritage value. He cited plans to intensify low-density residential areas, such as the former Turf City site, by injecting high-density public housing into predominantly landed areas. Turf City, once a colonial-era racecourse, represents a significant brownfield site whose redevelopment for housing has been a subject of public discussion, showcasing the government’s strategy of redeveloping existing large plots.

However, he cautioned against over-reliance on this approach for the bulk of public housing supply. "It is not practical to assume that we can meet the bulk of public housing supply through redevelopment of landed residential areas as this will require extensive acquisition of existing landed properties, as well as significant upgrading of transport and other essential infrastructure to support higher housing densities," he explained, highlighting the logistical and financial complexities involved.

Workers’ Party leader Pritam Singh (Aljunied GRC) further explored whether public housing supply could be met through additional Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) projects at older HDB estates with large surface car parks, with the aim of retaining "as many secondary forests across Singapore as possible." SERS, a highly popular scheme that redevelops older HDB flats into new ones, offers residents new leases with improved facilities.

In response, Minister Chee reiterated that SERS can only apply to a small proportion of sites in specific parts of Singapore due to various criteria, including age, redevelopment potential, and location. "We also need to be mindful of the disruption to residents who have to relocate when their flats undergo SERS," he added. "Hence, doing SERS alone will not be enough to meet our overall housing demand." The scheme, while beneficial for renewal, cannot solely address the nation’s broader housing needs.

Environmental Impact Assessments: A Tool for Responsible Development

MP Nadia Ahmad Samdin (Ang Mo Kio GRC) inquired about the specific ecological criteria and thresholds that determine whether a site should be avoided for development, and how these support Singapore’s long-term "City in Nature" vision.

Minister Chee elaborated on the rigorous process, stating that in cases where development proceeds on sites with "potentially significant environmental impact," an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study is invariably conducted. These EIAs are crucial tools for assessing the nature and magnitude of potential impacts and for developing appropriate mitigation measures.

During the EIA process, agencies meticulously consider the potential impacts and the adequacy of proposed mitigation measures. Crucially, they also engage in consultations with nature groups and community stakeholders. This collaborative approach aims to minimise impacts, retain areas of higher ecological value, strengthen ecological connectivity – a key theme in the "City in Nature" vision – and integrate greenery into the built environment. Following these assessments, agencies implement Environmental Management and Monitoring Plans (EMMPs) to track the effectiveness of mitigation measures throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring accountability and adaptive management.

"Today, Singapore is both a thriving global city and one of the greenest cities in the world. We got here by planning for development and nature together," said Minister Chee, encapsulating the nation’s dual aspirations. He concluded by reaffirming the government’s steadfast commitment: "The government will continue to integrate development and conservation holistically within our broader planning framework, underpinned by science, so that our people and the environment can thrive together in our City in Nature."

The ongoing discourse surrounding sites like Tagore forest reflects the growing environmental consciousness within Singapore and the continuous negotiation between developmental imperatives and the preservation of its natural heritage. As Singapore continues to evolve, the challenge lies in upholding its "City in Nature" vision through strategic, science-based planning that acknowledges both human needs and ecological imperatives.