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, I hope for some discussion, maybe some advocacy of ways to do some things better.
Anyhoo, here are some of my endless complaints, along with ideas I’ve mooted for doing things better. Mostly, 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!).
Long Valley – don’t devastate; 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.