The proposed development of Sunset Way and Gillman Barracks has sparked a debate among nature groups and conservationists in Singapore, who are calling for stronger environmental safeguards. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has announced plans to clear approximately 15 hectares of forest to make way for a new residential estate, a move that has raised concerns about the loss of valuable green spaces and the potential impact on biodiversity. While the HDB has proposed mitigation measures, some nature groups argue that these are not sufficient to protect the region's ecological integrity. The Sunset Way site, located within the Maju Forest, is home to a diverse range of habitats, including a native-dominated secondary forest and several natural streams. It is also a crucial habitat for the critically endangered straw-headed bulbul. The HDB plans to retain about 8 hectares of the 23-hectare study area, including a freshwater stream and its surrounding riparian buffer, to provide refuge for wildlife and facilitate fauna movement. However, Mr. Leong Kwok Peng, president of the Nature Society Singapore (NSS), warns that large patches of secondary forests like Maju Forest are "very few and far between" and that their loss is irreversible. He also points out that secondary forests play a vital role in cooling the air and retaining rainfall, contributing to the overall ecosystem. Similarly, at Gillman Barracks, the HDB plans to clear at least 10 hectares of forest to make way for housing developments. While the HDB has proposed retaining a native-dominated forest and maintaining a slim corridor from the north to south of Gillman Barracks to Berlayar Creek, some nature groups argue that these measures are not enough to protect the region's ecological connectivity. Mr. Lester Tan, chairperson of the Marine Conservation Group at NSS, welcomes the proposed measures but suggests that more could be done to widen the connectivity and protect biodiversity. The public has been invited to share their feedback on the development plans, and the HDB has committed to incorporating public feedback and nature groups' suggestions into the final development plans. However, the debate over the development's impact on the environment and biodiversity is likely to continue, as nature groups and conservationists push for stronger environmental safeguards to protect Singapore's natural heritage.
