Singapore is proceeding with housing development plans that involve clearing several secondary forests, including a 23-hectare site called Maju Forest. This has triggered public protests, with environmental students calling for revised environmental impact assessments (EIAs).
Critics argue that current EIAs adequately assess pollution, waste, and biodiversity impacts, noting the identification of endangered species at some development sites. However, they contend that these assessments fail to sufficiently account for the climate and health benefits provided by these forests. Secondary forests constitute about 16% of Singapore’s land area.
Source: Mongabay