Findings of Animal Monitoring Programme Conducted at Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Transport (a) when will the Ministry make public the full findings of the animal monitoring programme conducted at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, such as the number or frequency of animal sightings before and after the site investigation works; and (b) whether the site investigation works have resulted in a "mainly moderate impact" on the environment, which the environmental impact assessment has projected will happen if mitigation measures are taken.

In June 2018, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the completion of Site Investigations for two underground alignments being studied for the Cross Island Line (CRL) in the vicinity of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR). These investigations took place between May 2016 and September 2017, and were the first steps in assessing the feasibility of the two alignment options under or skirting round the CCNR.

Site Investigation works included drilling of boreholes. As some of the drilling was conducted in the ecologically sensitive CCNR, a fauna monitoring programme was developed by LTA, in consultation with the National Parks Board (NParks) and Nature Groups. This consisted of camera traps, which are motion-activated sensors, and transect surveys, which are manual surveys of animal sightings in a specified region. The data collected is being analysed by a professional Environmental Impact Assessment consultant. Initial findings have also been shared with NParks and Nature Group representatives, whose comments are being incorporated to further improve the analysis. LTA will share the results of the analysis, when ready, after consulting the Nature Groups.

In addition to fauna monitoring, environmental monitoring for water, noise and light pollution and waste management were put in place. Project management protocols and impact mitigation measures were strictly followed, with compliance monitored weekly to ensure that the environmental impact of Site Investigations was minimised. While the full impact of site investigations is being studied, the camera traps picked up the presence of animals like the Sunda Pangolin and Lesser Mousedeer after the completion of Site Investigation works.