NParks working to preserve Ubin's rusticity

Straits Times Forum 18 Mar 19;

We thank the public for their feedback (Many rules, fewer visitors, say Pulau Ubin Islanders, Feb 24; NParks need to be more transparent on Ubin; and Myriad rules killing feel of kampung life, both March 4).

Since taking over as the central managing agency for Ubin in 2016, the National Parks Board (NParks) has sought to maintain and enhance the island's much-loved rusticity.

Our priorities were to ensure the safety of residents and visitors, and protect Ubin's natural and built heritage. And NParks has maintained the status quo, as much as possible.

The quarries on Ubin have been fenced off for safety since 1996, after visitors fell into them leading to a drowning. Fishing along the quarries' edges was disallowed for the same reason.

Instead, NParks created lookout points to allow visitors to enjoy the quarries safely.

NParks introduced restrictions on campfires as many of the homes and buildings on the island are made of wood. This also reduces the risk of forest fires. Open fires are allowed at designated campsites.

NParks engages residents regularly on their concerns. We stopped allowing fishing at the jetty-head following feedback from boatmen that fishing lines were getting entangled in their engines, and that fishing hooks posed a hazard.

Fishing is allowed along most of the coastline except at Chek Jawa wetlands and natural areas undergoing habitat enhancement.

Separately, Ubin villagers had concerns about their leases and the structures they built.

We have been working with them to ensure these concerns are resolved, and will continue to do so.

NParks is part of the Friends of Ubin Network (FUN), which includes over 40 interest groups ranging from nature and heritage enthusiasts to villagers and researchers.

All of them collectively aim to protect and enhance the rusticity of Ubin for future generations. FUN-led initiatives raise awareness of Ubin's cultural and natural heritage.

NParks will continue to work together with FUN to do this.

Adrian Loo (Dr)
Group Director, Conservation
National Parks Board

N. Sivasothi
Friends of Ubin Network


Myriad rules killing feel of kampung life
Straits Times Forum 4 Mar 19;

It is disappointing to learn about the many rules enforced by the National Parks Board in Pulau Ubin (Trouble in paradise, Feb 24).

I spent the larger part of my childhood in a kampung during the 1960s.

The most memorable part of living in a kampung was its carefree life and living in close proximity to nature.

Part of the excitement was in the adventurous, no-holds-barred roaming around in the bushes, catching spiders and fish, foraying into the forest and swimming in lakes and ponds.

In short, the kampung lifestyle is one where rules and restrictions are hardly in existence. If there are rules, then it cannot be considered a kampung any longer.

While most of the rules were implemented for the safety of visitors, such restrictions are contrary to what attracts people to Pulau Ubin in the first place - the authentic kampung experience.

In our haste to implement rules and regulations, we are turning what may be our last vestiges of a rustic haven into nothing more than a tourist spot for visitors and losing the opportunity for locals to have a real taste of kampung life.

Seah Yam Meng


NParks needs to be more transparent on Ubin
Straits Times Forum 4 Mar 19;

I have mixed feelings regarding the dilemma facing Pulau Ubin (Trouble in paradise, Feb 24).

The free-spirited adventurer in me recoils at the thought of even more rules being enforced.

But the sustainability advocate in me also realises that the National Parks Board (NParks) has a statutory obligation to conserve the flora and fauna within our borders, which includes preventing over-fishing and the mistreatment of wildlife. And this is a responsibility that we all share.

NParks should educate and guide visitors on how to live harmoniously with the natural environment.

When incidents occur, NParks should step in to maintain the balance.

NParks also needs to be more proactive and transparent.

Despite overwhelming testimony from people on the ground, NParks said that it has "not observed any discernible drop in visitorship since" it stopped tracking visitor numbers in 2010.

This is difficult for the public to accept, and I would like to know how it came to this conclusion.

And as for the issue of compensation for Pulau Ubin villagers, they have been stalwarts of the kampung community here, familiar to Singaporeans while providing novel encounters to foreign visitors.

Having invested in their homes - even if they are built on state land - the villagers should be adequately compensated.

Adam Reutens-Tan


NParks needs to give more info on Ubin policies
Straits Times Forum 20 Mar 19;

The National Parks Board's (NParks) reply did not address my query on how it came to the conclusion that it has "not observed any discernible drop in visitorship since" it stopped tracking visitor numbers in 2010 (NParks working to preserve Ubin's rusticity, March 18).

It should provide the public with conclusive evidence that the visitorship has indeed not dropped, contrary to the anecdotal feedback I have heard.

NParks also said that it is working with the Ubin villagers on their "concerns about their leases and the structures they built".

Perhaps NParks could keep the public updated on how exactly it will be addressing the housing concerns of our fellow Singaporeans.

I look forward to NParks reassuring Singaporeans on these two matters.

I agree that environmental conservation and maintaining Pulau Ubin's rustic culture is important, and I am heartened that NParks has adopted certain measures to do so.

However, it should also strive to educate the public on its policies for harmonious coexistence with nature.

Adam Reutens-Tan