Ever since the founding of Singapore, rapid urban expansion has resulted to clearing of most of our primary forest and natural vegetations. The degrading and diminishing agricultural areas can lead to habitat fragmentation and species diversity loss. However, our authorities have compromised to guarantee the presence of adequate green spaces to support biodiversity richness.

One of the solutions is the preservation of the 4 nature reserves, namely Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Central Catchment, Bukit Timah and Labrador Nature Reserves, and Pulau Ubin. These nature reserves are the core biodiversity natural homes of the wildlife species. They are the original native environments that are biologically diverse and can support a bigger diversity of species. For instance, a five-banded gliding lizard, a slender squirrel and a Johnson’s freshwater crab can only be found in the nature reserves, while Singapore’s local parks do not support these rare species. Without nature reserves, these biodiversity species will disappear with the natural environment.

Habitat enhancement and restoration efforts are implemented to conserve the native species and natural ecosystems at terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats. One of the methods is restoring biodiversity within urban parks and community gardens, in replacement of the forest habitats. The initiative is deemed successful as NParks recorded that 18 species of damselflies were found in Toa Payoh Town Park and 33 species of dragonflies in Bishan Town Park.

The conservation efforts have brought Singapore to has a rich biodiversity despite our small land mass by comprising of over 2,000 native plant species, 57 mammal species, 98 reptile species, 392 species of birds and 935 species of insects.

However, biodiversity conservation efforts from the authorities alone is never enough. As buildings are encroaching into nature spaces, there will be more human-wildlife interactions as well as conflicts. The biggest human-animal conflict that we are experiencing in Singapore is the macaque-human conflict. Public complaints received by Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) has been rising over the years as residents reported macaques intruding into their homes, or attacking residents. This resulted the authorities to resort to culling in order to control the population of macaques.

In my opinion, their method of resolving the issue is rather contradicting. On one hand, the government is funding to preserve and conserve biodiversity. Yet, their practices are exterminating the population of wildlife species. I feel that the one of the master plans to conserve biodiversity can include pushing for greater tolerance between humans and animals through public outreach and education efforts.