Forests being cleared in Sembawang, Woodlands contain endangered species

Mitigation measures can reduce impact on wildlife, plants in areas for housing: Studies

- Fatmah Khan

Two forested areas in Singapore's northern region that will be cleared for new housing projects have been found to contain endangered species of plants and animals, two recent studies have found.

The two sites - in Sembawang and Woodlands - are being cleared for new homes.

The Housing Board (HDB) announced in October that some 8,000 Build-To-0rder flats and 2,000 private homes will be built on the site in Sembawang North, while plans for the area in Woodlands have not yet been revealed.

Conducted by infrastructure consulting firm Aecom and commissioned by HDB, the environmental impact assessments found that construction at those two sites will result in a loss of habitat. The works could also cause major impacts on the wildlife in the area.

That said, the impact on flora and fauna can be reduced if mitigation measures are implemented, said the reports.

HDB has published the reports on its website, and the public can provide feedback to the agency via an online form until Dec 10.

The 7.27ha project site in Woodlands, about the size of 13 football fields, is located between Marsiling and Admiralty roads, near Woodlands Secondary School.

Aecom found that the Woodlands site is home to 195 species of flora and 95 species of fauna, mainly birds and butterflies.