Draft #3 Summary_ReaderReponse: Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Line Site Investigations
In the article “Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Line Site Investigations”, Neo (2018) stated that nature lovers wanted to know detailed information about the effects of the drilling works in the MacRitchie forest. She also mentioned that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) had been observing the camera traps capturing animals that were at risk of extinction. The drilling of 16 boreholes was to determine the alignment for the Cross Island line by either digging under the nature reserve or by skirting around it. In the article, the exact number of animal sightings from the start to the end of the works was not mentioned by the authority. Also, when asked about the environmental effects, LTA chose to remain silent. Volunteers were expecting more comprehensive findings on the environmental effects from LTA so that it would give them a better understanding of the future Cross Island MRT planning.
Lastly, Neo failed to mention the detailed planning of the future Cross Island MRT line. Wong said that "discussions on the plan were so detailed that they included specifying how an engine pump was to be operated to prevent petrol spillage". Another measure mentioned was that the boreholes would be located on existing trails and clearing to reduce any impact on the existing flora. Even though this information seems insignificant, it shows the public that many considerations were taken into account during the planning. These facts were again not mentioned in Neo's (2018) article.
In conclusion, Neo's explanation about the environmental impacts and planning of the Cross Island MRT line was very brief. Detailed information such as the environmental effects and the planning of the future Cross Island MRT line was missing. Thus, it becomes the main reason that the public misunderstood the situation to such an extent. Therefore, it would have provided the public with a better understanding of the Cross Island MRT line planning.
References
Geh Min (29 January, 2018). Protect our environmental reserves like fiscal reserves. The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/protect-our-environmental-reserves-like-fiscal-reserves.
Neo, C. C. (28 June, 2018) Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Line Site Investigations. TODAY. Adapted from: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/nature-group-seeks-more-information-impact-cross-island-line-site-investigations
Tan, A. ( 28 June, 2018). LTA Elaborates on Impact of Soil Tests. The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/lta-elaborates-on-impact-of-soil-tests.
Wong, D. (8 June, 2018). MRT soil probe: Steps to ease impact on wildlife working The Straits Times. Available at: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/mrt-soil-probe-steps-to-ease-impact-on-wildlife-working [Accessed 1 Oct. 2019].
Neo addressed the effects of the drilling works in the MacRitchie forest for the future Cross Island MRT line. Although she explained the effects and what careful measures LTA took, she could have provided more detailed information on the soil test, environmental effects and the planning of the future Cross Island MRT line.
Firstly, Neo did not provide any details on soil tests. In other the article, Tan (2018) mentioned that the test included digging 70m underground to take out soil samples. The use of soil samples was to find ways to decrease the environmental impact of soil works. Tan also stated that LTA would continue to team up with stakeholders to further examine the data retrieved to have a better understanding of the soil works on fauna activities. These facts were not mentioned in Neo (2018)'s article.
Secondly, Neo failed to explain the effects on the environment. Geh Min (2018) stated that "many "natural" disasters have a degree of human culpability; some are, in fact, wholly man-made". Geh Min argued that the proposing of the Cross Island MRT line at Singapore's largest nature reserve and catchment may cause some consequences on the water supply. It would also affect the sustainability of the forest plus the ecosystem that was built up. Thus, it was a piece of important information about the environmental impact. These facts were again not mentioned by Neo(2018).
Firstly, Neo did not provide any details on soil tests. In other the article, Tan (2018) mentioned that the test included digging 70m underground to take out soil samples. The use of soil samples was to find ways to decrease the environmental impact of soil works. Tan also stated that LTA would continue to team up with stakeholders to further examine the data retrieved to have a better understanding of the soil works on fauna activities. These facts were not mentioned in Neo (2018)'s article.
Secondly, Neo failed to explain the effects on the environment. Geh Min (2018) stated that "many "natural" disasters have a degree of human culpability; some are, in fact, wholly man-made". Geh Min argued that the proposing of the Cross Island MRT line at Singapore's largest nature reserve and catchment may cause some consequences on the water supply. It would also affect the sustainability of the forest plus the ecosystem that was built up. Thus, it was a piece of important information about the environmental impact. These facts were again not mentioned by Neo(2018).
Lastly, Neo failed to mention the detailed planning of the future Cross Island MRT line. Wong said that "discussions on the plan were so detailed that they included specifying how an engine pump was to be operated to prevent petrol spillage". Another measure mentioned was that the boreholes would be located on existing trails and clearing to reduce any impact on the existing flora. Even though this information seems insignificant, it shows the public that many considerations were taken into account during the planning. These facts were again not mentioned in Neo's (2018) article.
In conclusion, Neo's explanation about the environmental impacts and planning of the Cross Island MRT line was very brief. Detailed information such as the environmental effects and the planning of the future Cross Island MRT line was missing. Thus, it becomes the main reason that the public misunderstood the situation to such an extent. Therefore, it would have provided the public with a better understanding of the Cross Island MRT line planning.
Geh Min (29 January, 2018). Protect our environmental reserves like fiscal reserves. The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/protect-our-environmental-reserves-like-fiscal-reserves.
Neo, C. C. (28 June, 2018) Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Line Site Investigations. TODAY. Adapted from: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/nature-group-seeks-more-information-impact-cross-island-line-site-investigations
Tan, A. ( 28 June, 2018). LTA Elaborates on Impact of Soil Tests. The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/lta-elaborates-on-impact-of-soil-tests.
Wong, D. (8 June, 2018). MRT soil probe: Steps to ease impact on wildlife working The Straits Times. Available at: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/mrt-soil-probe-steps-to-ease-impact-on-wildlife-working [Accessed 1 Oct. 2019].
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