Veteran nature guide, Subaraj Rajathurai, has died at the age of 56.

His wife, Shamla Jeyarajah, announced in a Facebook post that Subaraj passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2019.

Contributed immensely to Singapore's nature scene

For those who are not aware, Subaraj was a strong nature advocate in Singapore.

He was passionate about local flora and fauna and spent over 35 years studying and observing local wildlife.

Back in 1988, he and three others helped preserve the mangrove forest at Sungei Buloh which was slated for redevelopment by the government.

Through their perseverance, the wetland became a nature park and was eventually gazetted as one of Singapore's nature reserves in 2002.

Subaraj was also involved in saving 123.8 hectares of forest at the Lower Peirce Reservoir in 1992.

His passion made him the first professional tour guide in Singapore who specialised in eco-tourism.

Since 1990, he designed and ran more than 50 nature tours in Singapore.

Subaraj believed that education and awareness was the key to conservation.

As the founder of Strix Wildlife Consultancy, Subaraj conducted several field studies and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in Singapore and the region.

EIAs are important because they evaluate the impact of development projects on wildlife and take environmental concerns into consideration before these projects proceed.

Subaraj's work inspired many young Singaporeans to care about the environment and the legacy he left behind will continue to do so.

Funeral Details

Subaraj's body will be resting at Blk 127 Tampines Street 11 #09-444.

Funeral rites will be conducted on Oct. 23, 2019 at 2pm. The cortege will leave for Mandai Crematorium Hall 1 at 3pm for the cremation at 4.15pm.

Top photo collage from Strix Wildlife Consultancy website and Shamla Jeyarajah/Facebook