Habitat enhancement efforts underway for Pulau Ubin

SINGAPORE - Visitors to Pulau Ubin may experience more nature-based recreation in an environment with richer biodiversity, after the Ministry of National Development (MND) received calls by the public for more tree plantings and habitat enhancement.

Speaking at a tree planting exercise conducted on the island this morning, Minister of State for National Development, Desmond Lee noted that many people want the preserve the "rustic and natural" appeal of Pulau Ubin, but that did not mean "leaving Ubin alone".

"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," Mr Lee said.

Mr Lee was joined by community groups with over 100 participants to plant 100 native trees over 0.1 hectares at Tanjong Tajam, Pulau Ubin, after a fire in March this year damaged 3 hectares of land at the site.

"Some [suggestions], 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," Mr Lee added.

Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) alumni group will be continuing with reforestation efforts at Tanjong Tajam for one year, and 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 at www.gardencityfund.org.

grongloh@sph.com.sg