2006, Qn.4, Given the limited land available in Singapore, is it wise to set aside some areas as nature reserves?

Singapore is a small country with space constraints all around the country. In order for the government to maximize land space in every part of Singapore, nature reserves are always being reclaimed to make way for development. However, I do not agree with what the governments are doing.

Land is needed to be set aside as nature reserves as it will benefit people, flora and fauna and the environment. It will benefit people as a nature park can be used for recreational activities. During the weekend, parents can take their time off from their busy schedule and bring their family to the nature reserves. They can go for hiking and picnic. They also can organize party and gathering at the beach as an alternative instead of the usual restaurant or food centers. The air at the nature reserves are much cleaner as it is not so polluted compared to the city area. Educational tour can be conducted at the nature reserve to educate the young to protect the environment and also allow them to know the natural beauty of the reserve. If not, by the time they grow up and the children may not even seen or know what does a nature reserve look like.

Nature reserves are needed to set aside for the flora and fauna as it is their habitat. By depleting the nature reserve, there will be a great loss in biodiversity and the food chain will be disrupted which lead to the extinction of flora and fauna. Some floras found in the nature reserve are of medicinal value. Most of them are not full explored. With the nature reserve being reclaimed, it will narrow down the range of plants that have medicinal value. Fauna may become extinct also as when their natural habitats are being destroyed, they cannot find a suitable place to stay they will go around the neighbourhood in search of food and will cause a greater damaged. They will not be able to breed successfully as they are in the wild as their natural habitat is lost.

The environment is also a factor. They are known as the ‘Green Lungs of the Earth’ as they replenish the oxygen supply and remove carbon dioxide from the air. During photosynthesis, the trees and other parts in the nature reserve take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and give out oxygen. As carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, reducing the amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere prevents global temperature s from rising and helps to regulate the temperature. Also when it rain, the soil layers help to filter impurities found in the rainwater by trapping them between the pore spaces. The rainwater will then seeps underground. The vegetation cover intercepts the rainwater and reduces the speed and flow of rainwater on the ground. This prevents soil particles from being washed into the river. Therefore, the water collected in the river is of better quality as it contains fewer soil particles and impurities compared to urban area when the ground are covered with concrete surfaces.

On the other hand, it is not recommended to set aside some areas as nature reserve as there are more urgent need of land for other purposes due to the economic, housing, recreation and tourist attractions. Singapore being a developed country, people are having a higher standard of living which have a good economy, attracts more foreigners coming to Singapore for jobs and education. Given Singapore limited amount of land area, nature reserve have to make way for the building of housing to house this foreigner. Tourist also comes to Singapore for tours during their vacation. In order for Singapore to bring in more revenue for the economy, nature reserves have to be reclaimed to build more tourist attraction.

In conclusion, I still think it is still wise to set aside some areas as nature reserve as it will benefit people for recreational activities and educational tours, animals as that is their habitat that they live in and the environment as it provide us with cleaner water and more cleaner air.