Destruction of Chek Jawa will be a loss for all

I READ with concern the letter, 'Chek Jawa reclamation decided after careful study' (ST, July 27), about the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) plans for Tanjong Chek Jawa.

I took five families to view the sandflats there on Sunday morning. The tide was very low then.

We were mesmerised by what we saw. The diverse marine life trapped in the tidal pools was exactly what Dr Geh Min alluded to in the letter, 'Chek Jawa's natural beach should be preserved' (ST, July 22): 'It was like a gift from Heaven.'

There were numerous large carpet anemones, different coloured peacock anemones, huge horned sea stars, common sea stars, sand stars, brittle stars, sponges, sea cucumbers, coral fishes, an assortment of crabs, sand dollars and much more which I had problems identifying.

The children had a busy time reflecting on what they saw. It was definitely a feast for the senses. This dazzling display is such a rare sight in Singapore.

To this day, I remain spellbound by the newly-discovered treasures.

I was elated yet sad that I had not known about the site earlier. I am now even more sad that all these will be lost to land reclamation.

CHUA EE KIAM