NParks announces new Clementi Nature Corridor

- Clementi Nature Corridor serves as an ecological connection between Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Southern Ridges

- Safeguarded greenery in the Ulu Pandan west greenfield site serves as stepping-stone for biodiversity

The National Parks Board (NParks) announced plans for a new Clementi Nature Corridor today. This was conceptualised by taking into account the ecological profile of the area, with input from a Scientific Advisory Panel, as part of NParks’ island-wide Ecological Profiling Exercise (EPE). Comprising forested sites at Clementi, Toh Tuck and Maju as well as the Rail Corridor, the Clementi Nature Corridor serves as an ecological connection between Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Southern Ridges. It adds to the previously established Nature Park Network at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Bukit Batok Nature Corridor (refer to map). Within the Clementi Nature Corridor, NParks will continue to identify refugia and connectivity routes upstream in the land-use planning process. This will allow ecological connectivity in the area to be maintained, even if developments take place in the area in future. In addition, a sizeable nature park will be safeguarded in the western side of the greenfield site at Ulu Pandan, which is richer in biodiversity, to serve as a stepping-stone habitat between Clementi Forest and the Southern Ridges (Kent Ridge). NParks will also form a Friends of Ulu Pandan, to carry out forest restoration and habitat enhancement works together with the community.

Clementi Nature Corridor was identified as part of an island-wide Ecological Profiling Exercise

NParks is mapping the ecological profile of the vegetated/forested areas across Singapore to better understand their role as biodiversity refugia and/or for ecological connectivity. As part of the EPE, a Scientific Advisory Panel, consisting of academics and expert members of the nature community has been set up to provide input to NParks. This exercise will strengthen the existing scientific research and data models that NParks has built up over the years and guide agencies in the overall approach for longer term planning. By taking a holistic and science-based approach, the EPE will support Singapore’s longstanding commitment to balance development and nature conservation in our land-use approach. It will guide efforts to safeguard our natural assets for our native biodiversity and for Singaporeans to enjoy, as we transform into a City in Nature, a key pillar of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, a whole-of-nation movement to advance Singapore’s national agenda on sustainable development. The Green Plan will enable us to tackle the global challenge of climate change and charts out Singapore’s firm actions to build a sustainable future.

Ecological profiling for the Clementi-Ulu Pandan area

Through the EPE, NParks identified the source habitats and nature corridors in the Clementi-Ulu Pandan area. The findings showed that there are two main ecological connections between Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Southern Ridges – (i) along the Rail Corridor and (ii) through the forested sites at Toh Tuck, Maju and Clementi. Please refer to the map below on the ecological connections within the Clementi Nature Corridor.

For the Rail Corridor, NParks will continue to carry out habitat enhancements with the community to provide a seamless and safe connection for wildlife. These measures, which include reforestation efforts and the strategic placement of reflectors instead of night lighting, will further strengthen ecological connectivity along the Rail Corridor.

For the sites at Toh Tuck, Maju and Clementi, NParks will continue to study the primary spine of ecological connectivity, taking reference from baseline biodiversity studies that have been conducted for these areas. There are no immediate development plans for the Toh Tuck and Maju sites, and no immediate plans for residential developments at the Clementi site. This ecological profile also takes into account future transport infrastructure options along Clementi Road, by the fringe of Clementi Forest, which will support existing educational institutions and residential estates in the area. LTA is currently engaging members of the Nature Groups on these options.

Formation of Friends of Ulu Pandan as part of habitat enhancement efforts for Ulu Pandan west greenfield site

In addition, the study revealed that a parallel ecological connection could be established to balance the connectivity from Clementi Forest to the Southern Ridges (Kent Ridge), through Ulu Pandan. In view of this, NParks will continue to work with the Housing & Development Board to ensure that a sizeable portion of Ulu Pandan west greenfield site is safeguarded as a nature park. Forest restoration and habitat enhancement works will be conducted in the nature park to strengthen the area’s ecological resilience and biodiversity value. The higher quality vegetation on site will also be retained and serve as habitats for wildlife, allowing Ulu Pandan west greenfield site to serve as a stepping-stone for ecological connectivity. Please refer to the map below on Ulu Pandan west greenfield site as a stepping-stone habitat.

A new Friends of Ulu Pandan will be formed as part of NParks’ efforts to work with the community to strengthen the area’s ecological resilience such as through forest restoration and habitat enhancement works. This is in line with the vision to transform Singapore into a City in Nature, for which community stewardship is a key thrust.

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