Ex-National Parks Board officer: MRT line through MacRitchie an irreversible error

By: Joey Gan
I refer to the article “Impact of Cross Island work on MacRitchie significant without LTA mitigation measures” (Today, 11 Feb 2016).
I am writing in to express my worry and concern about the Cross Island Line. I feel very strongly that we should not go ahead with it and instead have the line rerouted south along Lornie Road.
I was once the conservation manager of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve with the National Parks Board and in my course of work I have had the opportunity to conduct research in the forests of Macritchie.
I can tell you that it is such a beautiful place and that it will be harmed beyond our comprehension if works carry on. The impact of noise and smell on forest inhabitants can never be fully understood or quantified in an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment).
Even with mitigation measures in place, it is a nearly impossible task to enforce these measures on a daily basis. Furthermore, works are required to be done around the clock, and this only exacerbates the situation.
Macritchie is home to one of the largest patches of primary rainforest and lowland swamp forest, and is a national treasure.
I can appreciate that transport is a big concern but in this situation there is a viable alternative and the consequences on our national natural heritage by not taking this alternative is irreversible.
We already divided our once largest stretch of primary forest into two fragments when we built the BKE through the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. We then spent millions trying to join it back via the Eco Link ( a project I was deeply involved in).
And now we are considering committing a similar mistake at Macritchie. With all my heart, I implore the Minister of Transport and those heading this project to reconsider this, for the sake of our forests and for Singapore.”
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Republished from Joey Gan’s FB.