Nature groups and environmental advocates have expressed concern over the decision to clear 15 hectares of Maju Forest, arguing that such development poses a significant threat to local biodiversity. Despite the HDB’s mitigation plans, critics warn that the removal of two-thirds of the forest will inevitably disrupt the habitat of numerous species, including those of conservation significance such as the buffy fish-owl and the straw-headed bulbul.
Skeptics of the project point out that even with phased clearance and the retention of 8 hectares, the fragmentation of the forest will likely diminish its ecological value. The concern is that small, isolated patches of greenery may not be sufficient to support the long-term survival of sensitive fauna. There is also apprehension that slope stabilization works along the Old Jurong Railway Line could lead to further clearing and earthworks, potentially impacting the very areas intended for preservation.
For many observers, the recurring pattern of developing mature secondary forests across Singapore raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such land-use policies. While the government maintains that these sites are necessary for housing, critics argue that the cumulative loss of green corridors could have irreversible consequences for the island's natural heritage. They are calling for stronger, more robust environmental safeguards to ensure that development does not come at the expense of the remaining biodiversity that makes these areas ecologically vital.