Singapore Looks Greener Than Ever — But Where Did the Wildlife Go?

In 1965, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew set out to build not just a thriving city, but a clean and green one — a lush oasis that would outshine its polluted regional neighbours. Declaring himself the nation’s “Chief Gardener,” he believed a well-kept natural environment would give Singapore a unique edge on the global stage.

That vision gave birth to the Garden City campaign, which later bloomed into grander ambitions — a “Biophilic City in a Garden,” and today, the “City in Nature.”

But beneath these verdant slogans lies a more complicated truth.

What We Lost Beneath the Green: Biodiversity in Decline

Singapore has lost 95% of its original vegetation since colonial times. Forests have shrunk, and with them, an estimated 90% of native bird species and 40% of mammal species have disappeared.

Meanwhile, we continue to earn international sustainability accolades. But biodiversity loss has happened — and continues to happen — quietly. Often, without much public attention. Why? Because in Singapore, we still decide who (or what) gets to stay.

Trees are heavily pruned — not just for safety, but to discourage animals like crows and pigeons from roosting. But these urban trees are also home to other species, some less visible but ecologically crucial. As a society, we seem to prefer neatness over nuance, curated greenery over complex ecosystems.

Have you ever noticed how uniform the plants along the Park Connector Networks are?

Green on the Surface, Silent on Biodiversity

The Singapore Green Plan’s goal of planting one million trees is commendable. But it says little about increasing biodiversity — or preserving what already exists. Why focus so heavily on new trees when the remaining old-growth forests we do have are irreplaceable?

Environmental decision-making here is shaped by a unique civic context. Open protest is rare, and direct confrontation is culturally discouraged. Yet, public opinion does matter — sometimes indirectly, sometimes quite forcefully.

Although broad surveys suggest environmental issues aren’t top-of-mind for most citizens, social media has proven that Singaporeans do care — especially when environmental harm is visible. Outcries over otter habitats, free-roaming chickens, or surprise clearances of green spaces reveal a quiet but potent undercurrent of concern.

Meet the Advocates Fighting for Singapore’s Wildlife

Two individuals stand out in this delicate landscape.

Anbarasi “Anbu” Boopal, co-founder of ACRES, has spent nearly two decades at the frontline of animal rescue and advocacy. Whether rescuing snakes from HDB corridors or challenging culling policies, she speaks up for animals who can’t speak for themselves.

Robin Hicks, deputy editor of Eco-Business, tackles the systemic side — uncovering hidden ecological costs of development, from plastic pollution to biodiversity loss. With a background in zoology and a sharp investigative lens, Robin’s stories bring uncomfortable truths to public light. On weekends, he’s out rescuing monkeys, birds, and reptiles with ACRES.

Together, Anbu and Robin represent journalism and activism at their most courageous. They speak truth to power, and through their work, help shape regulation, corporate responsibility, and public awareness.

Can Green Finance Save What Urban Growth Endangers?

Why does this matter to policymakers and business leaders?

Singapore markets itself as a global leader in ESG standards, green finance, and sustainable innovation. Multinational companies are drawn here by our political stability and long-term vision.

But a global shift is happening.

Investors are beginning to consider nature-related risks alongside carbon emissions. The rise of frameworks like the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) means biodiversity metrics will soon become as important as greenhouse gas reporting.

Developers, tourism operators, and infrastructure planners will not only need to comply with greening mandates — they’ll need to demonstrate measurable ecological impact.

And this is where Singapore lags. Compared to ASEAN neighbours like Malaysia and Indonesia, which still preserve large tracts of primary forest, Singapore has a tougher challenge: how to balance extreme urban density with the survival of small, fragile ecosystems.

Singapore’s Green Reputation vs. Ecological Reality

Singapore’s “City in Nature” ambition cannot rest on tree-planting campaigns alone. It requires a commitment to preserving the invisible life systems that support our visible ones.

As Jessica Cheam, Founder and CEO of Eco-Business, points out, “The approach of blending public, philanthropic, and private capital to de-risk investments is crucial — but implementation remains a challenge.”

In a society where mass environmental activism is rare, accountability must come through other avenues: civic discourse, academic research, investigative journalism, and long-term advocacy.

As Dhawal Shah reminds us, “Success is measured through a dual lens of financial performance and social impact… with key indicators including measurable improvements in community well-being and environmental benefits.”

Environmental stewardship isn’t beautification — it’s resilience. And Singapore’s green image must be backed by ecological reality.

Rethinking What ‘Clean and Green’ Really Means

So difficult questions remain:

• Why are we not living up to the standards we celebrate on the global stage?
• Why does the image of “clean and green” sometimes hide a quiet loss of life beneath?
• How can we inspire citizens to revere our environment, rather than just curate it?

To be truly clean and green, Singapore must also become a clean and green people. We already have the wealth, technology, and talent to lead. But we must choose to channel them — wisely — towards ecological integrity.

“We are seeing pockets of success,” says Jessica Cheam. “And we will continue to see momentum accelerate. But we need to enable the right regulatory environment and remove barriers to allow these projects to scale.”

In the coming decade, this may be Singapore’s most important environmental test — not how lush our skyline looks, but how alive our island truly is.

Editor’s Note:

This article was contributed by NewInAsia editorial fellow Marla Lise, a global educator and founder of The Eco Chapter.

In this piece, she explores whether Singapore’s “City in Nature” vision reflects real ecological resilience or just polished aesthetics. Through case studies, expert insights, and the city’s quiet biodiversity crisis, Marla challenges readers to rethink what it truly means to be “clean and green” in a future-focused metropolis.

To pitch your story or share reflections on sustainability, innovation, or the future of business in Asia, contact the NewInAsia editorial team.

Read the Chinese article here.

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