(Untitled 3)

Jimmy Tan San Tek

(Singapore) 

 35 x 26 cms [4134 x 3100 px]

Description: 

My first forest experience was in MacRitchie forest during secondary school, which organized a cross-country run event every year. Since the forest is part of the central catchment nature reserve, it is in no danger of being cleared. Since then, I had taken forests in Singapore for granted. It wasn’t until 2016 when I saw firsthand how one secondary rainforest after another was razed to the ground by bulldozers. First was Bidadari forest, followed by Lentor forest, and then Tengah forest. Then came news reports of roadkills and human-wildlife conflicts, mainly due to deforestation in Mandai, Punggol and Pasir Ris. Finally, revelations of development plans in Bukit Batok hillside park area, Clementi forest and Dover forest in 2020 were the last straw that compelled many concerned citizens to advocate the conservation of our remaining forests. Lately, as I revisited MacRitchie forest, I realized how fortunate it has escaped the axe, after having been regenerating from human disturbances 150-200 years ago. As I survey the lush greenery, I hope that the photographs of this forest will inspire action to be taken to conserve and restore the forests outside of the nature reserves for climate resilience, biodiversity protection and public health management.

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