Benefits to Wildlife from Reduction in Frequency of Green Verge Maintenance along Public Roads and Paths during COVID-19 Circuit Breaker

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether there have been any benefits to the environment and wildlife from reducing the frequency of green verge maintenance along public roads and paths during the COVID-19 circuit breaker period; and (b) whether reduced maintenance frequencies can be permanently implemented to save public expenditure, reduce foreign manpower needs and to improve biodiversity.

Mr Deputy Speaker, even before the circuit breaker period, NParks has been implementing naturalistic planting along some green verges along public roads and paths. These Nature Ways use multi-tiered planting of native trees, shrubs and ground cover to replicate the natural structures of forests. They make paths cooler and more comfortable for users, and facilitate the movement of birds and butterflies between green spaces. These measures have benefited the environment and biodiversity, and reduced the frequency of greenery maintenance needed. NParks will continue to identify more sites to be curated and managed as naturalistic landscapes, and implement more Nature Ways.

But even in such settings, there will still be a need for regular maintenance, especially for public health and safety reasons. For example, tall grass may conceal discarded litter, making dengue control operations more difficult. They also pose a fire risk during prolonged periods of dry weather. Hence, NParks will gradually scale up maintenance along green verges as the circuit reaker measures are eased.

NParks will also continue to encourage productivity in the greenery maintenance sector. Such work is increasingly being mechanised and innovative technologies are being applied to reduce the need for manual labour.