By The Singapore Government has set a goal to plant 170,000 more trees in industrial estates by 2030, which will add up to the current 90,000 tree population, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee on Monday (26 October).
Speaking at a tree planting event on Jurong Island today, Mr Lee noted that the trees will be planted along roads to resemble the “look and feel of natural forests”.
“They will also provide pedestrians with shade and respite from the heat,” he added.
The initiative is part of the National Parks Board’s (NParks) One Million Trees movement, which aims to make Singapore a “city in nature” by 2030 and mitigate the climate change impact.
NParks and JTC said in a statement today that the trees will be planted in a “multi-tiered manner”, adding that the trees will help to improve air quality and cool the industrial areas.
“At the same time, this will create a more attractive and conducive work environment by bringing the therapeutic effects of greenery closer to people’s workplaces,” said the agencies.
NParks and JTC noted that 21,000 more trees will be planted in Jurong Island over the next two years.
“Trees planted on Jurong Island are selected for their hardiness and drought tolerance, and ability to add shade, colour and vibrancy to the island,” the agencies added.
Over 70 companies and organisations from the Jurong Island community have donated around S$740,000 to support more than 2,400 trees on the island, as reported by CNA.
Meanwhile, Mr Lee noted that there will be about 100ha of new green spaces in industrial estates by 2030.
These spaces include the Jurong Innovation District, the Punggol Digital District and the Sungei Kadut Eco-District.