While the Cross Island Line was confirmed to run under part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve in December 2019, another plot of land has been brought to the attention of the public by researchers studying the critically-endangered Raffles' Banded Langurs.

This other plot of land, which is found near Thomson Nature Park and Upper Thomson Road, has been found to be an important habitat for these rare creatures.

Critically-endangered Raffles' Banded Langurs active in Thomson

Currently, the population size of these critically-endangered and elusive monkeys in Singapore is said to be about 60 individuals.

According to an article published in a biodiversity publication, Nature in Singapore, Singaporean primate researcher Andie Ang and her team recorded eight incidental observations of seeing the Raffles' Banded Langurs crossing from the side near Thomson Nature Park towards the state land between 2017 and 2020.

However, she told Mothership that these are just incidental records, which means that the researchers do not camp out to see the exact number of times they cross Upper Thomson Road, and highlighted that the number of times that the langurs actually cross that section of the road could be much higher.

According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Master Plan, the area of a size of one square kilometre described by the researchers (marked by red text below) is slated for residential development.

Ang estimated that to be close to the size of 200 football fields and the area is now a piece of state land used for military purposes.

Langurs' habitat marked for future development

While there are no plans in the near future on what it will happen to the site, Ang told Mothership that public engagement on developing a nature site is often done too late, when more concrete plans have already been made.

Ang told Mothership that action from nature groups is often reactive and was hoping that with this plot of land, the team could be proactive in requesting for part of the endangered animals' habitat:

"When development plans are announced, it might be too late to make meaningful positive changes to the plans, for example, retaining significant portions of habitats, maintaining sufficient natural forest connectivity, or not converting the forests into housing estates altogether

Perhaps we can be a little bit more proactive in highlighting important ecosystems and forest habitats so that our natural capital can also be a consideration right at the beginning when plans for urban development are discussed."

Here's a video from a Mothership reader of the langurs using rain trees to cross over the busy Upper Thomson Road:

Preserving this plot of land benefits other animals too

The plot of land in question is an important part of their home grounds, where they have even been observed to return to sleep at during the night.

The researcher explained to Mothership that if the plot is gone, the langurs territory or home would shrink.

Ang said that this means they have to seek out new territories in existing remaining forests in Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), which already has other groups of langurs.

The primate researcher further explained that this would "result in territorial fights and may cause injuries and destabilise existing social dynamics".

In addition, the habitat is also shared by other wildlife such as pangolins, slow lorises, and sambar deer, as mentioned in a Facebook post by Ang and her team.

They added that other sites, such as former Tagore and Lentor forest, were cleared for residential estates and led to the decline in the remaining habitat of the langurs.

They urged the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and URA to preserve the land "for our nature and biodiversity".

Ang told Mothership that the team has only worked with National Parks' Board (NParks) on conservation strategies for the Raffles' Banded Langurs, and has not had direct engagement with MINDEF or URA.

Enhancing the langurs' habitat in CCNR: NParks

While the researchers are worried about the state land, across the road from the nature reserve, Adrian Loo, Group Director of Conservation in National Parks Board highlighted that the agency has been enhancing the habitat of the langurs within the designated nature reserve.

According to Loo, the Raffles’ Banded Langur is "one of only three non-human primates to be found locally, and its range is limited to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve" and the forests surrounding the nature reserve.

In the 1980s, there were only 10 individuals left in CCNR, said Loo.

However, with planting of food plants the langurs prefer, reforestation and conservation of our nature parks, the number of individuals has grown to about 60 individuals, due to the improved habitat of the primates.

As part of the Raffles’ Banded Langur Working Group, NParks conducts biodiversity surveys and installed rope bridges within the nature reserve to ensure that the primates could safely cross Old Upper Thomson Road.

Necessary environmental studies will be conducted: URA

Responding to an enquiry from Mothership, a spokesperson for URA mentioned that it will work with other agencies on the development of the land.

They added that "the site is intended for future residential use as reflected in the 2019 Master Plan".

When detailed plans are being considered, the agency will conduct environmental studies and consult various stakeholders, so that agencies can "sensitively plan for the area while integrating core biodiversity areas".

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Top images by Raffles' Banded Langurs/Facebook and URA Masterplan