Chai Chee trees sheltering ten bird species cut down, sparking community outcry

A concerned resident of Chai Chee Street recently took to the Facebook group “Singapore Wildlife Sightings” to express deep sorrow and anger over the cutting down of more than six mature trees in their neighbourhood.

The post, which was shared on 19 August, has since sparked a flurry of comments and discussions, with many expressing frustration over the perceived unnecessary destruction of greenery.

The author of the post, who resides in an area overseen by the Marine Parade Town Council, lamented the loss of these “magnificent trees,” which had stood as part of the community for decades.

She emphasized the environmental significance of the trees, highlighting how one of them served as a home to a family of Collared Kingfishers.

The resident expressed heartbreak over the destruction of the trees, which had provided shelter to over ten species of birds, including House Crows, Javan Mynah, Common Mynah, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Black-naped Oriole, and others.

“💔 A Tragic Day for Our Community 💔,” the post began, “I am utterly heartbroken. Today, over six magnificent trees, which have stood tall in our neighborhood for decades, were senselessly chopped down. These trees were more than just part of our scenery—they were living, breathing pillars of our environment, offering shelter, life, and beauty to all of us.”

The resident questioned why the trees were not pruned instead of being completely removed, suggesting that this act had left a “gaping wound” in the community, affecting both humans and wildlife.

The post resonated with many in the community, sparking a series of comments criticizing the decision to remove the trees.

One commenter suggested starting a petition to prevent such actions in the future, while another criticized the Ministry of Environment, questioning their commitment to preserving Singapore’s wildlife.

Others expressed anger at the perceived lack of supervision by the Town Council, noting that mature trees were being cut down, only for new saplings to be planted later, seemingly to fulfill ceremonial purposes like Tree Planting Day.

“The current generation is destroying what was painstakingly built by the older generations over the years,” one commenter wrote. “Don’t know why they just can’t leave the mature trees alone. If it’s diseased, then treat it first instead of taking the shortcut way out. Every creature, including the trees, deserves a chance to live.”

One resident who had moved from East Coast GRC to Chai Chee voiced their disappointment in how the Marine Parade Town Council manages the estate, noting the absence of the Member of Parliament.

Another commenter shared their experience from a different estate, where similar tree-cutting practices were carried out without proper supervision or consideration for the environmental impact. He expressed frustration with the lack of communication and proper management by the Town Council, raising concerns about the loss of shade and the increase in temperature in the surrounding area due to the removal of the trees.

Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few individuals defended the Town Council’s actions, suggesting that there might have been valid reasons for cutting down the trees, such as rot or instability. However, this defence was met with scepticism, as others questioned why such drastic measures were necessary.

One commenter reiterated her passion for the trees in their area and dismissed the justification for the tree removal, stating, “Not to this extent, if so, then more than half of the mature trees in SG will need to go too, including those in the Botanical Gardens & along Bukit Timah, which we don’t really witness as much.”

Gutzy Asia, after being alerted to the incident, reached out to the Marine Parade Town Council on 20 August, seeking an explanation for the tree cutting. As of today, no response has been received.