of Chek Jawa will be lost forever
Chiang Ming Yu, in Letter to TODAY, 24 Dec 01
I refer to the article, "Hope for Ubin Beach" (TODAY, Dec 21). Kudos to the Ministry of National Development for deciding to defer reclamation works at Tanjung Chek Jawa.
I had given up all hope of ever seeing the beach. Tanjung Chek Jawa is irreplaceable.
We have lots of flats in Singapore, but we have only that one 'mud-flat' left.
If
the few remaining spots of natural beauty in Singapore were to go, this
special place we call home would be less special. It might become like a
five-star hotel—splendid and luxurious—but it would not feel like
home.I hope the Ministry would make a long-term commitment to protecting marine life at the beach. I wonder if the area can be given some form of protection in the meantime, perhaps by the Nature Society and the National Parks Board.
A
horde of eager, curious Singaporeans (including myself) anxious to see this
national treasure would flock to the beach, and this would inadvertently
cause a 'redevelopment' of the area. I have heard horror stories about people
poking sea anemones and throwing sea cucumbers around the beach.I also hope the Nature Society would be able to teach Singaporeans to appreciate the beauty of how this spot was created. I thank the Ministry for giving them the opportunity to do so.