Birdman of
> Conservationist Subaraj Rajathurai is determined to save the lush Singapore island from falling victim to overdevelopment
SUBARAJ RAJATHURAI is one of the many personalities featured in a series of films that are part of Singapore’s new brand campaign called Passion Made Possible, which will be broadcast on various media channels, social media platforms, and Singapore’s destination website VisitSingapore.com.
The campaign was jointly launched on Aug 24 by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), and features close to 100 people who represent the city-state’s diverse society.
One of the campaign’s more colourful personalities, 54-yearold Subaraj is a self-taught naturalist, natural history consultant, and veteran eco-tour guide in Singapore.
He has tiredlessly campaigned to preserve some of the country’s most beloved ecosystems over the last 35 years.
In 1985, he became an active member of the Nature Society (Singapore). While his family would have preferred him to hold a more ‘professional’ career, it was his love for documentaries featuring conservationists like Sir Richard Attenborough and Jane Goodall that prompted him to follow his heart.
Among his many achievements is being part of the group that saved Singapore’s Sungei Buloh from redevelopment (it was eventually gazetted as a nature reserve), and leading the fauna study for the research team responsible for saving the 123.8 hectares of forest at the Lower Peirce Reservoir.
Subaraj was also one of several individuals who highlighted Chek Jawa as a miniature marvel of contrasting ecosystems.
He is currently one of the many nature and heritage enthusiasts who are helping save Pulau Ubin from developed for industrial and housing estates.
The island’s residents playfully refer to him as the “birdman”, as he initially started out as a bird watching guide, or “white beard”, the latter owning to his long white beard.
During a recent trip to Pulau Ubin for international media arranged by the STB, Subaraj spoke about this island and its inhabitants.
He said that many young people have left the island for better career prospects in the city, and also for education purposes.
This island used to be inhabited by mostly Chinese fisherman, but there is also a Malay village located here.
Subaraj said when he first came to Pulau Ubin in 1982, there were about 3,000 people living on there. Now there are only about 40 people who live here during the week, with the number rising slightly on weekends.
“The problem is [preserving] the culture as the number [of residents drops]. Most of the residents are in their 80s, and oldest is 102,” said Subaraj.
As we walked about, we noticed a little taxi stand, shops renting bikes, a stage for Chinese opera, a couple of small eateries, a sundry shop, and an office for Singapore’s National Park.
There is also an assembly plant for students who come here for research purposes. There are even fully utilised wells here.
The open spaces used to be old kampungs, but are now maintained by National Parks. Some areas are designed for the blind to take a walk.
The larger trees were planted during the days of the old village, while smaller trees were planted recently.
There is an open area for research purposes. Though we spotted some generators, they are mostly used on weekends or when there is a football game on.
The folks here prefer to use as little fossil fuel as possible.
“Basically, I love nature and wildlife,” said Subaraj, who loves meeting people who share a similar passion, and bringing them out into nature.
Subaraj has also planned out several tour intineraries for visitors, with Pulau Ubin featuring prominently.
“It is a combination of nature, culture and history, which is what the island is all about,” he said.
“I have shared my knowledge with many people. I feel it is important that the young people grow up to appreciate nature.”
Subaraj reminded us that it was Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who knew the importance of balancing nature and development.
It was Lee who started the national tree planting campaign in 1963, and that is why Singapore is now known as “a city in a garden” today.
There are no real accommodations for tourists, but some villagers have opened up their homes to visitors.
There are many who come for a day trip to cycle around the island, or go fishing.
You can get to Pulau Ubin via ferry from the main island, and during the ride, you can admire the natural beauty of this island, including interesting rock formations along the shoreline.