|2000|

Nature Society of Singapore, a non-government, non-profit organisation, discovered Chek Jawa in December 2000 during an outing in which was during low tide. A large area of rich biodiversity showed itself to its visitors and they were interested in studying the organisms in the area.

 

|2001|

The government prepared to do land reclamation of Pulau Ubin intended for military training, even on Chek Jawa. However, due to the public’s response and the discovery of rich marine life (gathered by NGOs), the reprieve occurred. Months of preparation by evacuating people from the island halted when land reclamation was postponed in dec 2001. The government agreed to leave the land untouched for the next 10 years.

 

|2004|

Pulau Ubin officially opened as a park under National Parks Board. HSBC adopted Chek Jawa and contributed $800,000 towards conservation and setting up the Ubin-HSBC club and the HSBC gallery at the visitor’s centre.

 

|2007|

Chek Jawa was closed to the public in early 2007 due to heavy rains in December 2006 but on 7 July 2007, it was reopened with additional boardwalks, a viewing tower and visitor’s centre costing the government $7 million. Those who wanted to go down to the intertidal areas during low spring tides had to register for guided tours as the land was also recovering its losses from the heavy rains.

 

 

|2014|

Today, Pulau Ubin is still open to the public. Conservation studies are ongoing, including seagrass monitoring and a survey on intertidal sponges. Alongside the National Parks Board, volunteers and institutions are studying and conserving the mangroves for our future generations to appreciate.