Directions Issued under Wildlife-related Measures for Development Works and Steps Taken to Verify Compliance

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development in respect of the 445 development projects where directions have been issued under section 10 of the Wildlife Act on wildlife-related measures for development or works since 2020 (a) what are the most common types of directions issued; (b) what steps does the Ministry take to verify compliance with the directions; and (c) what are the consequences for the three projects which have recorded contraventions.

The measures imposed within directions issued under section 10 of the Wildlife Act depend on the nature of the development and its location. The most common types of measures are pre-felling checks for bird nests and other wildlife and restricted working hours, as they mitigate common impacts arising from development.

To ensure compliance with directions, developers may be required to develop and implement an Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan and provide monitoring reports to the National Parks Board (NParks). NParks reviews these reports to verify compliance with the directions issued. NParks also conducts site inspections for developments, where necessary.

For the three projects that have recorded contraventions against directions issued, NParks had taken enforcement action against the main contractors involved.