THE SWAMP THING: The mudskipper is a fish that is at home both in and out of water, by storing water in its mouth.

NATURE lovers can once again head back to the Pulau Ubin wetlands enclave of Chek Jawa from today. The nature preserve has reopened to the public after being damaged by heavy rains several months ago.

Freshwater rains had upset the wetlands' saltwater balance, resulting in the widespread death of marine creatures such as sea anemones, seastars and sponges.

Tours conducted by the National Parks Board (NParks) were stopped in March to let the 100ha of wetlands recover.

MUSSEL IN: Mussels growing on the underside of the floating pontoon linked to the coastal boardwalk.

"Recovery is still ongoing and we are slowly seeing the return of affected marine life," says Mr Robert Teo, an assistant director who heads the Pulau Ubin department of NParks' conservation division.

Sea anemones have returned, though Mr Teo says sea stars and snails have yet to come back.

Today's reopening of the area - located at the eastern end of Pulau Ubin, about 3km from the island's public jetty - marks a new era for the wetlands, too.

Unlike before, people going there no longer need to join the free guided tours conducted by NParks. These were conducted only a few times each month during low spring-tide periods.

Now, visitors can go to Chek Jawa themselves daily between 8.30am and 6pm. Guided tours will still be conducted during the low spring-tide periods.

SPONGE BOB: Anemones were affected by the heavy rains earlier this year, but they are slowly returning.

And there are a host of new amenities to check out, the result of the Government pouring $7 million into a visitor management plan for Chek Jawa.

These include a 1.1km boardwalk, a 20m-tall viewing tower and a visitor centre with a viewing jetty.

The wetlands are unique as several ecosystems can be seen in one area - sandy beach, rocky beach, seagrass lagoon, coral rubble, mangroves and coastal forest.

There are several ways to view them.

For example, 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.

SUN-KISSED: Grilles are inserted in some parts of the new boardwalk so sunlight can reach the marine life below.

NParks' Mr Teo says that doing this is more environmentally friendly as it cuts down on the use of wood while still retaining its natural feel.

And a seven-storey viewing tower called the Jejawi tower allows visitors to view the tree canopy and observe birdlife such as the Collared Kingfisher and Straw-headed Bulbul.

At the visitor centre, which was converted from a Tudor-style house built in the 1930s, visitors can learn more about Chek Jawa's wildlife.

COME-HITHER: Male fiddler crabs have an enlarged pincer which they wave to attract females and intimidate rival males. Each species of fiddler crabs has a unique waving pattern.

The area was originally slated for land reclamation but was saved by nature groups.

NParks took over Chek Jawa's management in 2001 and about 20,000 visitors have gone on its tours since 2002.

Marketing director Sarah Wong, 35, cannot wait to take her three children there.

"They will be able to see nature instead of just playing computer games," she says.

taysc@sph.com.sg

----------------------