Chek Jawa
Tanjong Chek Jawa (or Tanjung Chek Jawa or simply Chek Jawa) is a cape and the name of its 100-hectare
The wetlands are unique as several ecosystems can be observed in one area – sandy beach, rocky beach, seagrass lagoon, coral rubble, mangroves and coastal forest.[1] The site forms part of the Ubin–Khatib Important Bird Area (IBA), identified as such by BirdLife International because it supports significant numbers of visiting and resident birds, some of which are threatened.[2]
In December 2001, the government called off reclamation plans of the Chek Jawa area after a biodiversity survey conducted by conservationist volunteers. State use of the land will be deferred for the next 10 years. However, Chek Jawa may still be re-used by the government in and after 2012.
History
Preservation
Previously virtually unknown, Chek Jawa came into national prominence and focus only since the early 2000s when the area's rich
The
In 2001, the
Temporary closure
In early 2007, Chek Jawa was closed to the public after being damaged by heavy rains in December 2006.
Re-opening and new development
Source:[1]
On 8 July that year, the nature preserve was re-opened to the public and is free of charge. Visitors going to Chek Jawa no longer need to join the free guided tours conducted by NParks. These are conducted only a few times each month during low spring tide periods.
The Singapore Government added new
The new boardwalk running along the coast and into the mangrove area allows visitors to get up close to plant and marine life such as fiddler crabs and monitor lizards, without damaging the area. Special care was taken to construct the boardwalk, which is made from concrete but simulated to resemble timber. This is more environmentally friendly as it cuts down on the use of wood while still retaining its natural feel.
The free seven-story viewing tower called the Jejawi Tower allows visitors to view the tree
At the visitor center, which was converted from a
Ecological value
Chek Jawa is made up of 6 interdependent ecosystems – namely, its coastal forest, mangrove forest, its rocky shore, the sandy shore, seagrass lagoon and the coral rubble. Within each of the ecosystems, there is an abundance of natural creatures, rare plants, local and migratory birds. These have attracted photographers, nature lovers, student groups and others to visit Chek Jawa.[3]
Notes and references
- ^ a b c d Tay Suan Chiang (8 July 2007). "Chek Jawa's back". The Sunday Times.
- ^ "Ubin–Khatib". Important Bird Areas factsheet. BirdLife International. 2014. Archived from the original on 10 July 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
- ^ "Pulau Ubin - Chek Jawa | on Pulau Ubin". Archived from the original on 20 February 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-28.
Further reading
- Tan, Ria and Yeo, Alan, in association with The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, The National University of Singapore (2003) Chek Jawa guidebook Singapore: Simply Green ISBN 981-04-8832-7
- Chua, Ee Kiam (2002) Chek Jawa: discovering Singapore's biodiversity Singapore : Simply Green ISBN 981-04-6814-8
External links
- National Parks Board – Chek Jawa
- The Saga of Tanjong Chek Jawa
- Chek Jawa by NUS
- Chek Jawa by WildSingapore
- Satellite image of Tanjung Chek Jawa – Google Maps