The Lens: Pulau Ubin’s future should balance urbanisation with ecological preservation

Pulau Ubin is situated north-east of mainland Singapore, a natural island wetland with picturesque views and a tranquil atmosphere. As the island faces a dwindling population and Singapore’s urban expansion, a more holistic approach is required to preserve Pulau Ubin’s natural beauty.

The Singaporean government has constantly pushed for the urbanisation of Palau Ubin. However, it has faced considerable criticism, and rightly so. With its kampong village recognised by the National Heritage Board, Pulau Ubin is home to a rich diversity of rare flora and fauna, including the endangered white-crowned hornbill. Urban development on the island would contribute to the degradation that has plagued 40 per cent of Singapore’s biodiversity.

With Singapore’s population continuing to grow, the development of Pulau Ubin seems inevitable. However, the government can adopt a holistic approach to development, prioritising ecological urbanism and tourism.

Pulau Ubin brings around 300,000 visitors annually as a popular destination for summer camps and outdoor activities. Constructing recycling facilities or energy-efficient accommodation may be viable solutions within the ecotourism and urbanism approach.

As the first nation to receive sustainable destination certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Singapore demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. This achievement offers a valuable framework for the development of Pulau Ubin, drawing on successful examples like the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Hopefully, the Singaporean government will strike a balance between ecological protection and urban development.

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A little town known as a backpacker paradise in northern Laos has come under the spotlight for a mass poisoning case that has killed at least six tourists and potentially injured scores of others.

It began at the end of November when two Australian teens became critically ill after a night out drinking in the town of Vang Vieng. They died in Thai hospitals, with one confirmed case of methanol poisoning.

Since then, many tourists have become worried, as it’s unclear how many have been affected, said Neil Farmiloe, a New Zealander who owns a restaurant in the town.

But despite the tragedy, the town was packed with visitors in its central neighbourhood.

Frida Svedberg left Sweden five weeks ago for her big Southeast Asia trip. She said she had heard about the news just before she arrived in Laos. Svedberg went ahead with her original plan to spend three nights in the town and found it as beautiful as expected.

Vang Vieng received more than 600,000 tourists in 2023 and is expected to see even more this year, state-owned Laos News Agency quoted the district governor saying earlier this year.

However, guest house owner Soutjai is slightly worried about the latest tourist deaths. “It’s about tourists and the confidence of tourists. The news was all around the world. There will be an impact,” he said.

Swedish tourist Anton Honkanen said what happened did affect his experience. “I think it destroys the value of backpacking a little bit. Because everyone just enjoys this time, meeting new people at hostels, having some drinks with all kinds of people from all around the world. And now I won’t do it today because of the poisoning,” he said.

Svedberg said that though what happened was unfortunate, “it shouldn’t stop people from coming.”

Staff writer

• How could this affect Vang Vieng’s reputation and tourism industry?

• What precautions should businesses in Vang Vieng take going forward?

• How can the government of Laos make amends for the situation?