Nature Conservation Masterplan consolidates Singapore’s biodiversity conservation efforts

27 June 2015 - Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee announced the Nature Conservation Masterplan (NCMP) this morning, setting out the course of Singapore’s biodiversity conservation plans for the next five years. The NCMP is a framework that consolidates NParks’ focus of systematically coordinating, strengthening and intensifying efforts in biodiversity conservation by integrating various programmes and projects into a holistic masterplan. Implementing the NCMP will help us achieve our City in a Garden vision.

NParks has implemented some of these initiatives over the past few months. The NCMP comprises four plans - Physical, Programmatic, Research and Community Stewardship. In terms of physical planning, plans for Nature Parks like Windsor and Chestnut Nature Parks, which act as buffers for our Nature Reserves, have been rolled out. Community stewardship is being encouraged through a suite of Citizen Science Programmes like the first NParks Garden Bird Count which took place in April this year.

Examples of species recovery efforts include critically endangered species native to Singapore like the Singapore Freshwater Crab; the two Hanguana plant species which had been recently discovered; the Singapore Ginger; the Eye of the Crocodile, one of the most endangered mangrove tree species in the world; the local wild population of the Red Sealing Wax Palm and our native orchids. Conservation of Singapore’s marine habitats and marine biodiversity will be looked into under the NParks Marine Conservation Action Plan (MCAP).

Marine Conservation Action Plan

One key focus of the Marine Conservation Action Plan (MCAP) is the establishment of Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. NParks is undertaking species recovery efforts for the giant clams and Neptune Cup Sponge. Additional efforts to conserve the Green and Hawksbill Turtles will also be established at the Marine Park. To encourage public appreciation of Singapore’s diverse marine ecosystem, the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Dive Trail will be ready for public access by end September 2015. There are also plans for the restoration and enhancement of marine habitats like shallow water reefs and intertidal areas, not only at Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, but also Changi Beach Park and Labrador Nature Reserve.

NParks has developed Community in Nature (CIN), an initiative to conserve Singapore’s natural heritage. CIN aims to better reach out to the community, encouraging them to bond over and with nature. Furthering outreach and education efforts targeted at various age groups, the NParks preschool educational resource package, and a booklet that chronicles Singapore’s history of biodiversity conservation titled, “Biodiversity — Nature Conservation in the Greening of Singapore”, were also launched at Festival of Biodiversity this morning. The NParks preschool educational resource package was developed in consultation with the Ministry of Education’s preschool branch, and is the first comprehensive set of preschool educational resource materials that focuses on local plants and animals. 

Festival of Biodiversity 2015

The Festival of Biodiversity is an annual celebration of the community's efforts to conserve Singapore's natural heritage. Into its fourth year, the Festival of Biodiversity will be held on 27 and 28 June 2015 at VivoCity, Central Court B. In celebration of SG50 this year, the Festival of Biodiversity is featuring 50 fascinating plants and animals that are closely linked to Singapore’s heritage. Children can also enjoy free art and craft workshops to learn more about Singapore's flora and fauna. The Festival is supported by VivoCity.