Budget 2021 debate: Dennis Tan on greater protection for Singapore's secondary forests

Singapore's secondary forests must be given greater legal protection as part of efforts to save its "natural capital". MP Dennis Tan, who made this call in Parliament on Thursday (Feb 25), raised concerns with a "lack of commitment" in the Singapore Green Plan. He said the measures for secondary forests are less robust compared with those for nature reserves. The fate of those which are not used as nature parks hangs in the balance as they may be cleared for development. Mr Tan said greater legal protection will send a clear signal that the destruction of forested areas will "come at a cost".