Interesting ideas received for The Ubin Project, Habitat enhancement efforts underway

Singapore, 23 August 2014 – Minister of State for National Development, Desmond Lee, joined community groups with over 100 participants to plant 100 native trees at Tanjong Tajam, Pulau Ubin, this morning. This is part of ongoing reforestation efforts organised by the National Parks Board to enhance habitats for wildlife in the island.

In March this year, about 3 hectares of land at Tanjong Tajam was damaged in a bushfire. The planting of trees by representatives from the Outward Bound Singapore (OBS), Singapore Scouts Association, and the Friends of Ubin Network has helped recover 0.1 hectares of land. The remaining 2.9 hectares will be progressively reforested.

This reforestation initiative is just one of the many efforts that are underway for the Ubin Project, which seeks to preserve and sensitively enhance Pulau Ubin, so that it remains an enjoyable rustic destination for Singaporeans. Since its inception in March 2014, the Ubin Project has received a wide range of comments and suggestions from various stakeholders and members of the public.

“Since launching the Ubin Project, we have received many interesting ideas on how to enhance Pulau Ubin. Many people have expressed their support to keep Pulau Ubin rustic and natural. But they also recognise that this does not mean leaving Ubin alone. In fact, many have called for more tree plantings and habitat enhancement, so that the rich biodiversity on the island can continue to thrive. A number of suggestions for greater access to nature and nature-based recreation were also received. We are considering these ideas carefully and will see how some of these ideas can be implemented sensitively to enhance the visitor experience on Ubin. Some, like today’s reforestation, are activities that we have been carrying out regularly, and can be continued, perhaps with greater involvement of the community. Other ideas will need more time to implement,” said Mr Lee. 

“Pulau Ubin’s lush greenery, rich biodiversity and rustic landscape make it an idyllic island close to the hearts of many Singaporeans. I am glad that today, we managed to restore a part of what was gone. Ubin is a treasure trove of greenery and biodiversity, with many species of plants, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles and mammals. A number of them are rare and some are not even found on mainland Singapore.I am glad that the community is doing their part to preserve these precious habitats, and I encourage more Singaporeans to join us to conserve the island’s natural heritage,”Mr Lee added.

For the 50 OBS Alumni volunteers, it was an opportunity to reconnect with Pulau Ubin since the days of their OBS courses. 45-year-old avid bird watcher, Aldwin Teo, who attended an OBS programme 30 years ago shared, “I can fully appreciate the adverse impact of the fire on Ubin’s biodiversity and fauna. I’ve always hoped I could return one day to do something meaningful for OBS, as my experience in OBS sparked the spirit of adventure and the love of nature within me to this very day. I hope that my humble effort may inspire the younger ones to be advocates of meaningful causes.”   

The OBS Alumni will continue with reforestation efforts in the area for a period of one year with youth mentors from the OBS Alumni leading the effort. Besides restoring greenery to the burnt area, the volunteers will also build a sensory trail and campsites for future OBS participants in collaboration with NParks.

Members of the public who would like to participate in reforestation efforts at Pulau Ubin may do so through the Garden City Fund’s Plant-A-Tree programme (please emailgarden_city_fund@nparks.gov.sg to find out more).

Factsheet: Habitat Enhancement Efforts at Pulau Ubin