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With rare fauna, Pulau Ubin deserves nature-reserve status

I refer to the report “Nature Society wants Ubin to be given protected status” (Nov 19).

The Oriental Pied Hornbill is native to Pulau Ubin. Photo: Ben Lee

The Oriental Pied Hornbill is native to Pulau Ubin. Photo: Ben Lee

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Ben Lee, Founder, Nature Trekker

I refer to the report “Nature Society wants Ubin to be given protected status” (Nov 19).

I fully support the Nature Society’s move to give the island nature-reserve status, because it is home to a variety of wildlife not commonly found on the mainland.

Pulau Ubin was indeed a nature haven where wildlife, such as the critically endangered Malayan Tiger and Asian Elephant, were reportedly sighted and reported in the media.

Occasionally, there are interesting avian visitors to the island, such as the huge Trumpeter Hornbill from Africa. Besides these visitors, the island also boasts some iconic native animals, such as the Oriental Pied Hornbill as well as other rare and uncommon animals including the Sunda Pangolin, Malayan Porcupine, Greater Mousedeer, Asian Palm Civet, Oriental Small-Clawed Otter, Malayan False Vampire Bat and Wild Boar, which still exist on the tiny 7km stretch of island.

I have been visiting Pulau Ubin almost every weekend for the past 35 years and have witnessed its rapid transformation from an island of rustic charm, where coconut trees, kampungs and chickens scurrying in backyards were a common sight, to its current state, after having experienced mass human encroachment and seen modern facilities built and cycling trails created.

If the island is given nature-reserve status, it will be a great joy and relief to all nature communities in Singapore as it will remain a refuge for the wildlife there with binding legal protection, unlike the case with its current status as a nature area.

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