'Wild growth' home to endangered eagles

A PROPER ecological perspective needs to be provided on the issues raised by Dr Wee Yeow Chin ("Not all green patches worth preserving"; Jan 11).

Dr Wee states that when a nature area is destroyed, "the mostly resident birds could always find refuge in our parks and gardens".

But what about those that cannot do so? And what if the habitat harbours endangered species?

The Pasir Ris site has been left undeveloped not for some years, but for some decades. True, the plants may be "nothing to rave about", but that does not make the habitat unworthy of protection. Perhaps it could be incorporated into Pasir Ris Park to sustain or enhance the park's biodiversity.

Eagles like the endangered changeable hawk-eagle and the white-bellied sea eagle hunt for food in the park and the coastal waters respectively.

Despite the Pasir Ris site's close proximity to the park, the eagles have nested in this "wild growth" for years, which shows that the park is not suitable for them.

Known nesting pairs of white-bellied sea eagles have recently been affected by developments in Choa Chu Kang and Yishun; likewise, the changeable hawk-eagle in Dairy Farm, Jalan Bahar, Sungei Ulu Pandan and Woodlands Road.

Some of these "wild growths" outside the nature reserves must be allowed to exist intact, otherwise what is common becomes uncommon, and what is endangered will become extinct.

Since half of Singapore is still green and undeveloped, there is room for flexibility in development planning.

Ho Hua Chew