Save the last remaining habitat of endangered Banded Leaf monkeys,Slow Loris and Pangolin in Singapore

Dear Mr Prime Minister

Work on the destruction of this forest wetland sheltering many endangered animals and plants as well as two of the last natural freshwater streams in Singapore is due to start within 3 months.
Singapore is known as a Garden City, global city and sovereign state. With a population of over 5.5 million and a total land area of 710 square km Singapore has already lost about 95% of it's natural habitats. Nature reserves comprise only 0.25% of Singapore's land area. It is critical to preserve the last remaining forests and streams and add them to the nature reserves. They are as beautiful as any forests in Asia and home to many endangered animals and plants. Singapore is the only country in Asia where critically endangered and heavily poached species such as the Pangolin can live in safety, but now their habitat is at stake.
We call on the Singapore Government to stop development of the Lentor Stream/Teacher's estate/Tagore forest area, the Central Catchment area and Pulau Ubin for good and add them to our national parks. We ask that they consider costs and impact from a long-term and holistic perspective.
The benefits of preserving Singapore's remaining natural areas include
1) Benefit to future generations. In time, with sufficient area, the current secondary forest will become primary forest again. Isolated small areas will eventually wither and die unable to sustain their biodiversity. We need to keep enough habitat area for genetically diverse populations of animals and plants otherwise the small remnants will slowly die as they cannot maintain themselves. Habitats need to be large enough to provide sufficient flowers and fruit year-round to support the populations of animals – bats, birds, mammals. Hornbills, colugos, pangolins and Slow Loris. Flying foxes are just starting to re-colonise Singapore after a long absence. Otters are making a successful comeback with ever-growing international attention.
This is a priceless opportunity to observe and interact with nature.
2) Singapore should become a regional champion in nature preservation (given palm oil crisis in Indonesia and Malaysia/ Singapore’s anti poaching laws). Preserving genetic diversity and endangered Flora and Fauna Diversity. Singapore should become the 1st country in Asia to commit to Zero deforestation. Nature is needed to balance the impact of Changi airport’s growth – of offshore oil and other pollution by preserving the tiny remnant of our natural landscape. It is important to us all to keep the temperature from soaring as it does in Tokyo – as it does by 3 degrees annually! These areas help to bring rain too. After the international outcry caused by the burning forests in Indonesia and Malaysia last year surely Singapore should not now destroy the little forest left in this refuge for endangered Sunda Slow Loris, Pangolins and Monkeys?
3) Tourism. Machali the famous tigeress of Ranthambore has drawn over 7-10 million pounds per year for more than 15 years to Rajastan. The monkey forest earns millions in Bali. Otters, hornbills and pangolins can do the same in Singapore. Singapore is seen as a sterile concrete jungle at best, a garden city. People who realize that they can see crocodiles, otters and monkeys, with very little effort, are entranced. Birdwatchers are astonished by the variety of bird-life. As a hub, Singapore benefits by tourists who stop over on their way to another destination. While the Zoo, Bird Park and Night Safari attract millions, untouched forest and mangroves will bring in another segment of the tourist market, give people a reason to return for another visit and enrich the experiences that Singapore has to offer.

We feel that it is of much more valuable to Singapore to preserve these areas for the future than to 'upgrade' Ang Mo Kio with more buildings.

Please, please let us start to take action now! It is so typical of Singapore to regret 10 or 20 years too late.

Yours Sincerely and with hope