Green groups urge the government to take over land in sensitive area of Tung Chung
ERNEST KAOernest.kao@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Friday, 11 September, 2015, 12:00am
UPDATED : Friday, 11 September, 2015, 12:00am
(From left) Beetle Cheng Nok-ming of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society; Michelle Cheung Ma-shan, education and science manager of Eco-Education and Resources Centre; and Eva Tam Ka-yan, project manager of Designing Hong Kong pose for a photo at Tung Chung River. They are worried that a proposed government planning and engineering study will result in the destruction of the river's ecosystem and natural habitat. Photo: Nora Tam
A coalition of green groups is calling on the government to take over about 500 private lots along the Tung Chung River Valley on Lantau and establish a 21-hectare "river nature park".
Conservationists argue this will be the best way to protect the ecologically sensitive Tung Chung River on the island, which is already facing the development pressure of an impending new town expansion.
A park run by the Drainage Services Department would manage the ecology and public amenities, control unauthorised development and provide a "quality nature park experience" for the public, said Dr Cheng Luk-ki, Green Power's head of scientific research and conservation.
The river and its tributaries should be designated as a site of special scientific interest, while "passive recreation areas", boardwalks and visitor areas could be built.
The area boasts rare flora and fauna including mangrove horseshoe crabs, seaweed pipefish, Swinhoe's egret and the Eurasian eagle owl.
Cheng estimated that 13 per cent of land in the valley had been ecologically degraded compared with 4.8 per cent in 2007.
The damage, believed to be the result of a lack of statutory controls on land use, has been caused by dumping, land filling and even the building of illegal columbariums in village houses.
However, the situation is expected to change after the publication last month by town planners of a draft development permission plan for the area.
"We think the park is feasible because the government is already planning to build dykes for storm water along the embankments of the river," said Cheng. "The areas surrounding the river are also designated a conservation area."
The government aims to boost the population of Tung Chung from 80,000 to 260,000. Its plan covers about 168 hectares of land in total, nestled between Lantau North Country Park to the west and Tung Chung town to the east. It includes reclaiming a 120-hectare piece of land.
The plan is now open to comments and representations until October 22.
Paul Zimmerman, of Designing Hong Kong, said taking over the land - about 8.5 hectares in all - would appease villagers concerned about losing value from their land when it is subject to stricter planning controls, a thorny issue for the government.
"It is something the government does all the time. Flood control would provide a good justification for land resumption," said Zimmerman, citing examples such as the enhancement works on Hiram's Highway in Sai Kung.
He estimated the acquisition costs at HK$368 million, based on compensation rates for agricultural land.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1857029/hong-kong-green-groups-propose-river-nature-park
