A morning in Ubin (October 6, 2014)

It was the Hari Raya Public Holiday and since i haven't been to Ubin Island as regularly as i used too, I decided to spent my Monday morning there. I believe a lot of us has noticed that Ubin is visibly more crowded now with more local and foreign visitors alike. Crowd management aside, this to me is a great indicator that Ubin can be a sustainable eco-tourism destination if managed well, as many people love to see this aspect of Singapore that is rustic and relatively untouched.

That been said, Ubin has changed ! Over the past 15 years i have seen the local residents slowly vacating the place and moved back to mainland Singapore for various reasons such as for better work opportunities. The hallowing out effect as taken away some aspects of realism of the Island as a living one and more of a concern was when it announced last year in major media that the remaining leases of the Ubin residents may not be renewed leading to the perception that Ubin will be turned into an Adventure Park. I am one of those who hope this will not be the outcome for Ubin and am glad to hear and observe that Government is engaging with various stakeholders (e.g. Nature Society) and most importantly Ubin's original residents to find a balance and preserve it's biodiversity and its rustic state for years to come.

There is also a survey being conducted by the Ministry of National Development to "collect more suggestions on how we can preserve the rustic charm and heritage of Pulau Ubin, so that it will continue to be a special place for our future generations". Do participate to voice out your opinions. For me, i will like to see more dedicated hiking and walking trails made available for bird and nature lovers.

Feels like i have taken a time machine back to Singapore's past

Here are some pictures of this morning's walk, in which i got to see various birds (white rump Sharma, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Olive back Bulbul, Scaly Breasted Munia, Dollar bird) and wildlife that makes me want to come back for more.

Clouded Monitor Lizard high up a Durian Tree

Cropped Picture of Clouded Monitor Lizard

Golden Orb Spider 

Scaly Breasted Munia

White rumped Sharma

Oriental Pied Hornbill

Olive winged Bulbul 

Malay Viscount / Malay Baron (?)

More are visiting Ubin: the Singapore destination
A final word on crowds, as i was heading back to Changi Village at noon, this is what i saw at the Changi Village Jetty, crowds of people queuing to go to Ubin. This queue snaked all the way to outside the jetty !!! Amazing.. is the word i can think off !

The crowds that greeted me when we arrived back at Changi Village

Before the Immigration

The queue snaked outside the building !