NSS calls LTA to realign train tracks for CRL citing nature damage
25 May 2013|3,697 views
The Nature Society (Singapore) (NSS) has called for a realignment of the Cross-Island MRT line (CRL), to protect the nature reserve in the central catchment area that includes the MacRitchie Reservoir. The current track layout has the train tracks passing through the nature reserve to connect Bukit Timah and Ang Mo Kio. According to NSS, this could cause habitat fragmentation and soil erosion which eventually leads to significant environmental damage.
The society's official spokesman on this issue, Mr Tony O'Dempsey, told The Straits Times, "Nature reserves are gazetted for the purpose of conserving native flora and fauna. We should not even be thinking of putting infrastructure through our nature reserves."
The society suggests for the line to run around the nature reserve instead, despite understanding added challenges that could arise due to the realignment. Paralleling the nature reserve may result in a longer route but it also means to protecting the nature reserve cites the NSS.
The CRL line was unveiled by Land Transport Authority (LTA) earlier this year and while a date for construction has not been set - the line is slated for completion in 2030 with feasibility studies to start at the end of this year. The study includes soil investigation works, where 70 metre-deep holes are bored within 15 to 20 metres intervals to determine the strength of soil.
The society aims to publish a position paper on its website at the end of the month which will include geographic information systems (GIS) analysis to show the CRL will lead to unavoidable soil pollution in forest streams, killing stream flora and fauna, and causing imbalances in the surrounding ecosystem.
According to an LTA spokesman, LTA fully intends to commission an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to study the environmental impact of the Cross-Island Line and a consultant would be engaged before engineering investigative works into the central catchment nature reserve begins.
The spokesman also added LTA will engage and consult various stakeholders like the NSS to ensure their views and concerns are accommodated as part of the EIA study.
Other local environmentalists such as Ms Teresa Guttensohn from Cicada Tree Eco-Place are also raising awareness of the issue. Ms Guttensohn has a protest planned for June 22nd to 23rd at Hong Lim Park. Cicada Tree Eco-Place will organise walks through MacRitchie Reservoir on June 16th and 30th, from 8:30am to 11:30am. Both events are open to the public.
The Nature Society (Singapore) (NSS) has called for a realignment of the Cross-Island MRT line (CRL), to protect the nature reserve in the central catchment area that includes the MacRitchie Reservoir. The current track layout has the train tracks passing through the nature reserve to connect Bukit Timah and Ang Mo Kio. According to NSS, this could cause habitat fragmentation and soil erosion which eventually leads to significant environmental damage.
The society's official spokesman on this issue, Mr Tony O'Dempsey, told The Straits Times, "Nature reserves are gazetted for the purpose of conserving native flora and fauna. We should not even be thinking of putting infrastructure through our nature reserves."
The society suggests for the line to run around the nature reserve instead, despite understanding added challenges that could arise due to the realignment. Paralleling the nature reserve may result in a longer route but it also means to protecting the nature reserve cites the NSS.
The CRL line was unveiled by Land Transport Authority (LTA) earlier this year and while a date for construction has not been set - the line is slated for completion in 2030 with feasibility studies to start at the end of this year. The study includes soil investigation works, where 70 metre-deep holes are bored within 15 to 20 metres intervals to determine the strength of soil.
The society aims to publish a position paper on its website at the end of the month which will include geographic information systems (GIS) analysis to show the CRL will lead to unavoidable soil pollution in forest streams, killing stream flora and fauna, and causing imbalances in the surrounding ecosystem.
According to an LTA spokesman, LTA fully intends to commission an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to study the environmental impact of the Cross-Island Line and a consultant would be engaged before engineering investigative works into the central catchment nature reserve begins.
The spokesman also added LTA will engage and consult various stakeholders like the NSS to ensure their views and concerns are accommodated as part of the EIA study.
Other local environmentalists such as Ms Teresa Guttensohn from Cicada Tree Eco-Place are also raising awareness of the issue. Ms Guttensohn has a protest planned for June 22nd to 23rd at Hong Lim Park. Cicada Tree Eco-Place will organise walks through MacRitchie Reservoir on June 16th and 30th, from 8:30am to 11:30am. Both events are open to the public.
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