Closure of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve a good call

I refer to the report “Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to close for restoration” (June 3). I applaud the National Parks Board for closing this segment of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve for restoration work.

As an avid hiker and nature lover, I will miss my daily walks in the reserve. But as a nearby resident, I have noticed relentless human traffic, both hikers and bikers, along the trails over the past four years.

Though it is one of Singapore’s most beautiful and ecologically diverse areas, it is also the beating heart of the island.

The preservation of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve will also be critical as we combat haze-related problems.

With the closure, it is timely to ask what the Government’s vision is for our nature reserves in 2030. Are they places for the conservation of native flora and fauna or are they merely parks catering to a growing population’s recreational needs?

The value of the Central Catchment area is in its biodiversity and its native flora and fauna. This is also what makes Singapore unique.