Plans to Enhance Ecological Connectivity between Mandai Mangrove and Mudflats to Central Catchment Nature Reserve

75 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether there are plans to enhance ecological connectivity between Mandai mangrove and mudflats to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, aside from naturalising Sungei Mandai; and (b) whether baseline biodiversity studies have been conducted for the buffer forests north of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, particularly the Lorong Asrama and Track 16 forests.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: As announced at the launch of the Draft Master Plan 2025, the National Parks Board (NParks) is establishing a new Kranji Nature Corridor to strengthen the ecological connectivity between the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park.

There will be over 110 ha of new parks, around 8 km of new recreational routes and more than 11 km of nature ways within the Kranji Nature Corridor. These routes will have plantings to replicate the forest structure and facilitate animal movement. We are also studying potential parks at Sungei Pang Sua and Kranji Reservoir, as well as possible enhancements to the riverine habitats there.

Agencies will assess the need to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments for the buffer forests north of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, if there are future development plans in these areas.