Debated in Parliament on 4 Mar 2021.
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry has conducted a study on the current state of native species of flora and fauna in Singapore; (b) if so, how many known species of native plants are currently endangered; and (c) how many native species of plants have become extinct since Singapore's independence.
NParks conducts biodiversity surveys regularly to take stock of our native flora and fauna species. There are an estimated 35,000 to 45,000 species of flora and fauna native to Singapore. Based on the 2019 publication "Flora of Singapore", 258 known species of native plants are currently classified as "endangered", 722 species are classified as "critically endangered", and 565 species are "presumed nationally extinct", as they have not been recorded in the last 30 years.
NParks will continue to improve the long-term viability of our threatened plant species, through conservation efforts such as the Species Recovery Programme. This programme aims to increase the number of these plants through propagating and reintroducing them into their original habitats, as well as suitable new habitats across Singapore. NParks will also continue to engage the community through education and outreach programmes to improve awareness and encourage participation in biodiversity conservation efforts, as we transform into a City in Nature.
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