As much as he fought for nature conservation, he did it diplomatically. Subaraj Rajathurai passed away leaving behind a legacy that his family, friends and conservation partners will remember for a very long time. Mallika Naguran reflects on his achievements.

SINGAPORE, 24 October 2019.  The nature community in Singapore is in mourning with the passing of Subaraj Rajathurai on Tuesday, 22 October 2019.  

Subaraj was a well-known conservationist, keen birder, tireless environmental advocate and wildlife consultant in Singapore. 

Gaia Discovery understands that he passed away peacefully at home. He was only 56. He left behind his wife, former nurse Shamla Subaraj, and sons Serin and Saker Subaraj. The sons were named after bird species, testament of Subaraj’s love for aviation wildlife. 

Subaraj was an important figure among environmental conservationists in Singapore, championing causes relentlessly for many decades. He had been part of the effort in the conservation of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, which was designated a nature park in 1993 and officially gazetted a nature reserve in 2002. He had also been part of the campaign to conserve the Chek Jawa wetlands on offshore Pulau Ubin. In 1992, Subaraj was also part of the research team responsible for saving the 123.8 hectares of forest at Lower Peirce Reservoir.

It has been reported that he was the first licensed nature guide in Singapore in 1990. He had since designed and conducted around 50 tours in showing visitors around the natural habitats of Singapore and describing its flora and fauna.

Gaia Discovery’s T.Shanmugaratnam spoke to Saker Subaraj about his father’s legacy. “My father was willing to work with as many people to promote nature in the most effective way. His biggest contribution is knowledge. He is willing to impart his knowledge to others, especially to youngsters, as they’ll be taking care of nature tomorrow. Because there is still development going on even with the little that we have, so we need to have this knowledge to know how to preserve the remaining forest,” said Saker.

The Straits Times in September 2019 ran an interview with Subaraj. He told the reporter that he considered it his duty to speak up for nature. From walking away from dissecting a live frog as part of his zoology degree to refusing to sign a non-discloser agreement with the developer of the Mandai nature precinct, following a spate of roadkill incidents along Mandai Lake Road after works had started. 

National University of Singapore biology lecturer N. Sivasothi was also quoted in the Straits Times saying that Subaraj had voluminous knowledge about nature.  “…knowledge that he used in the perpetual struggle between development and conservation. He advocated diplomacy and engagement strategies rather than public opposition so as to negotiate for a solution with the authorities.”

In a September 2019 article written by Trinity Chua for The Edge on environmental impact assessment in Singapore, Subaraj had been quoted to say that in the past, it was public pressure that helped changed the course of development. Since then, authorities and developers have begun consulting wildlife experts better. Hostility gets one nowhere. “You have to pick your battles. Only bring things up if you think you can [bring about] change,” he said.

The man who was often spotted in bandanas knew how to get around tough situations. Even Desmond Lee, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for National Development credited him for his relentless efforts in working towards Singapore’s natural heritage conservation.

Lee paid tribute to the nature pioneer in a Facebook post. "If you happened to bump into Subaraj in the forest, where he was often found, he would point out a bird that was hidden from view from everyone else except him," said Mr Lee. "That was his magic, his intimate understanding and his beautiful connection with nature. With his passing, we will greatly miss that magic." 

Veerasekaran, Managing Director of Greenology, described as being in awe of Subaraj from knowing him and the conversations they had. “Throughout the many years of being in the nature and greening industry, I heard about this ‘Giant of a Man’ who walked silently among the birds, monkeys and other wildlife in our nature reserves. Heard but not seen! An enigma, a mystery and mostly a humble human being!”

Both Veera and Subaraj were featured in Passion Made Possible campaign by the Singapore Tourism Board. “He (was featured) for what he did best with nature and conservation and me for my urban greening, trying to bring nature into the cities and urban spaces. We crossed paths a few times over the years and always had this mutual respect for each other’s work,” said Veera.

Gaia Discovery team extends their condolences to the family of Subaraj. May his soul rest in peace and in harmony with Mother Nature.