DR CHUA EE KIAM (Singaporean) Naturalist and nature photographer.
"The Madness of a Passion "
Always been concerned about the constant degradation and devastation of the natural environment in the region, he would like to share his vision of a better tomorrow by highlighting the beauty of the natural heritage. His favourite habitat is the rainforest but recently he has also ventured to the intertidal areas.
He had already written 5 books - "Nature in Singapore -Ours To Protect" (which raised $52,000 for the Nature Society to Singapore's (NSS) Building Fund and also raised for $1,500 to Henry Park Primary and $1,500 to Northland Primary School). The book received a National Book Award in 1994. His 2nd book "Pulau Ubin - Ours To Treasure" helped raised $3,200 for the Henry Park Primary School Building fund. Both books were reprinted. His book on the intertidal zone "Chek Jawa- Discovering Singapore's Biodiversity" touched the conscience of many Singaporeans and brought back memories for the many who ralled behind the call to save Chek Jawa. Profits from proceeds of sale of the book ($20,000) were donated to the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University Singapore for continuing research at Chek Jawa. His offering on the rainforests "Borneo's Tropical Eden- Sabah" evokes the awe of nature. He hopes to donate the profits to the Orang Utan Sanctuary in Sabah. His latest "Singapore's Splendours - Life on the Edge" will be his last book citing dangers, difficulty of finding sponsors, lack of family time and backaches to be the reasons for his decisions. This book will hopefully bring in $50,000 to the RMBR for marine research.
He has contributed articles to NatureWatch (a magazine of the NSS) and Asian Geographic. He takes an active role in promoting nature educ
ation among school children with his lectures. His project in Sabah took more than 10 years to complete but he did not give up hope. His visuals have been used in magazines and books (Singapore Yearbook from 1994-2002) and the National Day (NDP 2003) book "Things that make us Singaporean". He had also been the main photographer for the book on Dentistry, "Dentistry - 1915 to 1996". He is also active in community work.
He will keep rallying to showcase the beauty and meaning of the luxuriant wilderness with his photography. He hopes to spread the message of conservation through the appreciation of nature.