Conservationists call for study of Mandai, Tagore forests as possible nature parks

They say the spaces, zoned for development, are crucial refuges for critically endangered wildlife

- Ang Qing

Some conservation scientists and nature lovers are renewing the call to protect forest patches in Mandai and Lentor by asking the Government to study the sites as potential nature parks.

These forests are crucial refuges for critically endangered wildlife such as the Sunda pangolin and the Raffles' banded langur, acting as important buffers that shield Singapore's largest nature reserve, the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, they said.

Their clarion call revives efforts to preserve forested land in the area which began as early as the 20th century.

This is among recommendations of a book titled Singapore Terrestrial Conservation Plan by nearly 40 scientists and conservationists here, who urged a national review of forested spaces currently zoned for development. The 171-page book assesses the national approach to dealing with nature on land, and will be launched on April 28.

Primatologist Andie Ang, who led the project with Herpetological Society of Singapore co-founder Sankar Ananthanarayanan, said Mandai forest and Tagore forest in Lentor were deemed by the conservationists as green spaces that should be prioritised for consideration as nature parks.