After I posted in a birding whatsapp group about issues with the Long Valley Nature Park, I was surprised at a response, sent to the whole group of over 200 members so hardly private. Well, perhaps complaints about conservation issues are indeed rather dull; yet clearly to me important. While I don’t expect much by way of results, I hope for some discussion, maybe some advocacy of ways to do some things better, even some positive developments. And hope for your participation.
Anyhoo, here are some of my endless complaints related to conservation in Hong Kong, along with ideas I’ve mooted for doing things better. Mostly – overwhelmingly, not resulting in any change for the better, but here and there some slight positives. And, however foolishly, I keep on trying and hoping – and doing so without supporting a paymaster that may not have the best interests of the natural world at heart (or – in almost all cases – any paymaster at all, for that matter!).
A few years ago, I reflected on having decided to try and help nature conservation back when the environmental movement seemed to be on the upswing; the momentum since seems to have stalled: Fightback Needed as Science and Life Support System Under Attack. Now, with Trump elected and other developments, the situation is worse, even as climate change and the sixth mass extinction continue apace.
Long Valley – don’t devastate it; improve the nature park
Around the turn of the century, I supported the Hong Kong Birdwatching Society in opposing the KCR’s plans to build a viaduct over Long Valley, a prime local hotspot for birds. A small voice, indeed.
More recently, as work was underway on a nature park, I tried emailing the Civil Engineering and Development Department with concerns the work was not ideal. No changes.
Once the nature park was opened, late 2024, it was clear that there were indeed issues, but also potential to change for the better, with some easy wins possible. More emails from me; no result. For loads more dullness, see on this site, Long Valley Nature Park more duo-diversity than biodiversity yet potential for improvements.
Excessive slope vegetation clearances on Cheung Chau
I’ve made a few complaints about this issue; most recently:
The government is supposedly promoting greening of slopes – see for instance: Greening and Landscape Treatment on Slopes
Partly as plant roots can help bind soil, keep slopes in place.
Yet here on Cheung Chau, I too often see slopes simply cleared of vegetation that does grow.
Such as slopes above and near Cheung Chau Sports Ground – as in photo here, with contractors at work cutting the grass, small trees, whatever had started growing. [This happens periodically here; seems just foolish to me!]
Also by a “garden” [government one], southeast Cheung Chau: just pathetic growth of plants here. I’ve complained about this before, been told improvements would happen, but still terrible, with severe soil erosion.
It seems government hires contractors who hate nature, so are happy to cut all vegetation for “slope cleaning”; just get the money for this.
Why not something smarter?
– like allow some small trees to grow; can later help shade paths too. Also just trim grass etc – so paths are kept clear; no need to just destroy, destroy, destroy!
Smarter still: employ some gardeners; aim for gorgeous slopes we can all admire, attracting butterflies and birds too. Too much to ask?
Some years ago, I had a reply from government department, agreeing there was more clearance than necessary. Led to some more bushes etc being allowed to grow, in turn attracting butterflies, small birds like warblers and white-eyes.
Excessive tree felling at Ho Man Tin
Ho Man Tin is a hotspot for migratory birds. I saw photos of trees being felled on slopes of a service reservoir, and sent emails to the Water Supplies Department, complaining. Helped lead to the contractor taking more care, leaving more trees that flycatchers, warblers and many more birds feed and shelter in.
Multiple complaints regarding Lantau issues plus ideas for the better
Wooh – Lantau! Crikey; I must have made complaints ad infinitum about plans and actual developments threatening and harming various parts of this wonderful island, especially lowland areas.
Back in 2004, when the government published a Concept Plan for Lantau, I dissed this as a concrete plan, including in a letter to the South China Morning Post – published with the title Concrete, not nature, appears Lantau priority. You can read it on this site: Concrete Plan for Lantau.
Rather than simply complain, the next year I followed up with Lantau Sustainable Development Plan:
This Alternative Concept Plan therefore includes suggestions for development projects on Lantau. These projects are within the framework of views of Keep Lantau Beautiful, an alliance of groups concerned about the future of Lantau.
Lantau Sustainable Development Plan
In 2016 – as the government released a further strategy for developing Lantau, I submitted this plan to the Legislative Council, along with an introduction including:
Seems this is politically motivated, and perhaps with some pushing from engineers keen to Carry On Concreting, along with various businesses seeking to exploit Lantau for profits.
Part of motivation seems to be justifying the HKZM Bridge; along with aiming to profit from the anticipated hordes who will arrive on buses.
Would be interesting to learn: to what extent is Lantau Development Advisory Committee really driving the strategy; or more a talking shop and rubber stamp?
7 meetings in two years!
Also, what of the supposed “balance” between development and conservation?
Does this mean as much money to be spent, as many resources used, on protecting and enhancing natural environment as on concreting? If not, what is the meaning, or just fine sounding wording?
Comments to Panel on Development
For special meeting on 16 April 2016: Proposed Development Strategy for Lantau
At one point, I received a positive response from the Sustainable Lantau Office, of the Civil Engineering and Development Department; saying they too hoped for nature tourism as a way forward for Lantau. Even made a couple of short films for the SLO, on Tung O Ancient Trail [Tung Chung to Tai O], and the coastal hike from Tai O to Shek Pik.
Last year (2024), on with the complaints – and ideas for better ways forward:
The Hong Kong Government’s latest wheeze for developing south Lantau is a proposed “South Lantau Eco-Recreation Corridor” – which seems eco in name only.
A response to the South Lantau Eco-Recreation Corridor public consultation
I also helped draft and supported Green Groups’ Responses to the Public Consultation for the South Lantau Eco-Recreation Corridor.