An image of the illegal dumping in the protected area. Photo: Courtesy Land Justice League
Johnny Lau speaks to RTHK's Richard Pyne
The Environmental Protection Department says it is preparing to prosecute those responsible for the illegal dumping of construction waste at a government-designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the northwestern New Territories.
The illegal dumping at a one hectare site around Tsim Bei Tsui was uncovered by the Land Justice League in December, after being tipped off by villagers who spotted large trucks entering the area. They said fish ponds and part of a mangrove forest there had also been cleared.
The EPD said their investigations found that an area of natural mangroves had been excavated and covered with fill materials. It said the bulk of the landfilled area is largely zoned SSSI whilst a small part is zoned as “Green Belt” land.
The department said they are now consolidating evidence and proceeding with preparations for prosecution against suspected parties, including the responsible person on-site, the transportation contractor, and a lorry driver.
It said the Lands Department has fenced off the area and various department have stepped up inspections to stop any further dumping or land-filling. The Planning Department also took action to require the owner of the private land to stop the unauthorised development.
It added that investigations and follow-up action is still underway, and further enforcement action and prosecution may be taken.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is examining ways to restore the affected area, to safeguard the ecology of Tsim Bei Tsui.
Land Justice League executive committee member Johnny Lau welcomed the start of prosecutions, but said the government should also be trying to trace where the construction waste originated from.
He said it might take quite a while for the site to return to its previous state as the damage there was quite severe.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1252877-20160406.htm
