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  The Straits Times 15 Jun 05
Beef up laws on nature conservation, says don
By K.C. Vijayan

A UNIVERSITY don has called for more legal safeguards to protect eco-systems here, arguing that the 'Garden City's' success has more to do with manicuring the urban landscape than preserving its natural heritage.

Writing in the latest issue of the Singapore Academy of Law journal, he took issue with the lack of legally mandated studies on development projects likely to impact ecology and biodiversity.

Assistant Professor Joseph Chun of the School of Design and Environment at the National University of Singapore qualified his remarks, noting that successful policies had led to Singapore even 'exporting its expertise to other cities'.

He lauded the new Parks and Trees Act as a step forward, citing the increased penalties for offences in conservation areas, preservation of roadside greenery and boosting of the National Parks Board's (NParks) effectiveness.

Nature areas and nature reserves here probably had the highest biodiversity density in the world - 2,800 species of flora and fauna can be found in 2,800ha of nature reserve.

But he said it may be inadequate to protect Singapore's environment simply by gazetting areas as national parks and reserves and leaving their fate 'to the vagaries of political will, trusting all will be well thereafter'.

He cautioned that in land-scarce Singapore, pressures may mount to 'sacrifice the ecological integrity of our natural heritage' in the push to urbanise more areas. His solution: The law could give more weight for nature conservation in the decision-making process.

Currently, the minister may amend the areas marked out as national parks or nature reserves after consulting the NParks. Prof Chun suggested NParks' advice should be made public and the public consulted before such amendments are made.

'This would improve the transparency and openness of the minister's decision.'

The board's role could also be extended, allowing it to take the initiative to recommend to the minister new sites for inclusion as nature reserves, he added.

Nature conservation groups welcomed Prof Chun's suggestions as timely and a recognition of changing public attitudes towards Singapore's natural heritage. Nature Society president Geh Min said the benefits of 'institutionalising greater public consultation' will far outweigh the fear of 'more disagreements' voiced by policymakers.

An NParks spokesman said there is an established land use planning process in place to recommend new areas of protection. 'The public is consulted at relevant stages of the process.'

She said environmental factors are considered when development projects are assessed by NParks and other agencies and this would include technical studies.

'To minimize any adverse effects, developers may also be required to put in place mitigating measures and carry out environmental monitoring programmes.
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