I cannot agree more with Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Senior Minister of State for Defence Ong Ye Kung, who said that the overall approach to developments in Sembawang is to build facilities into the forested area, rather than planting trees around the facilities ("Greenery, heritage to make a difference at Sembawang hub"; July 4).
Mr Ong added that it is important to retain the heritage and greenery of the area, and preserve many of the key features of the terrain.
As a resident living near the Tagore forest, off Yio Chu Kang Road, which is slated to be cleared for housing development, I urge the Urban Redevelopment Authority to adopt the same calibrated approach instead of simply bulldozing away the trees and two rare freshwater streams in the forest ("Two plots to be kept in forest marked for clearing"; June 7).
I have no doubt that the engineers can build around the streams rather than clear them away or turn them into drains or canals.
Perhaps the streams and their surrounding areas could be converted into linear parks, with boardwalks, walking trails and shelters.
These green community spaces would not only raise the aesthetic value of living near them, but also promote a healthy lifestyle for the residents.
Edwin Pang