Integrated lab facility on Pulau Ubin to be ready by end 2015

SINGAPORE - A new Ubin Living Lab with facilities for students and researchers, new bat houses, as well as floating wetlands prototypes, are some of the new installations that visitors can expect on Pulau Ubin by the end of the year.

Rolled out under The Ubin Project, the Ubin Living Lab was unveiled by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong last November, in conjunction with his launch of Ubin Day 2014, according to a media release by Ministry of National Development (MND).

The Ubin Project was launched in March 2014 by MND to gather public feedback and work with the community to preserve and sensitively enhance the island. The aim is to keep Pulau Ubin an enjoyable rustic destination for the public.

At the two-day Ubin Day event on Saturday, Minister of State for National Development Mr Desmond Lee said since the project was launched, many Singaporeans have come forward to share ideas on how to "sensitively enhance Ubin and keep it rustic".

Mr Lee said: "With the development of the Ubin Living Lab, various species recovery and habitat enhancement programmes and cultural mapping initiatives."

Ubin Day is a community event which celebrates the different facets of the island, organised by more than 20 community groups including Team Seagrass, Nature Society (Singapore) and Butterfly Circle.

The event is also supported and facilitated by relevant agencies.

Ubin Day was first held in 2002, this is the fourth time that the event is being organised.

At the event, Mr Lee also encouraged participants of Ubin Day 2015 to adopt the "Ubin Way", a Code of Conduct guiding ecologically and socially responsible behaviour on the island.

By following the "Ubin Way", Mr Lee said the island can remain a familiar and rustic destination for current and future generations of Singaporeans.

Visitors to the island this weekend can participate in Ubin Day with activities such as guided nature walks, bird watching, mangrove and quarry kayaking, and coastal clean-ups.

wjeanne@sph.com.sg