22nd Country Parks Visitor Liaison Group Meeting

Date:	14th May 2005 (Saturday)
Time:	2:30 to 5:00 pm
Venue:	Room 701, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices

Participants:	陳霖照先生	陳偉雄先生
	李仲明先生	張驍鳴先生
	曾玉安先生	冼卓先生
	吳兆偉先生	陳旭明先生
	黃智仁先生	張永基先生
	周照先生	奚小龍先生
	劉康孫先生	葉美娟小姐
	陳穎婷小姐	胡蔭全先生
	何國雄先生	Ms. Nicola Newbery
	Mr. Bob Thompsom	Ms. Judy Love-Eastham
	Mr. Rathaphattaya Sumphan

Hong Kong Cycling Association representatives:

黃耀華先生   陳志強先生   黃志如先生

Police representative:

Mr. Neil Burnett (Sai Kung Police Division)

AFCD representatives:	Dr. F.Y. Wong (Chairman)
	Dr. K.M. Yeung
	Mr. K.W. Cheung
	Mr. K.T. Chan
	Dr. Alice Tang Y. K.
	Mr. Y.M. Lee (Secretary)

Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed all participants and invited participants to introduce themselves.

Report on Work of Country Parks
Dr K.M. YEUNG reported recent work of the authority.

1. Ecological Baseline Survey
Various Ecological Working Groups of the authority have been conducting ecological surveys in the countryside in the past few years. The obtained information on local natural resources has been uploaded to the HK Biodiversity Online (www.hkboiodiversity.net) for public browsing.

2. Public Education of the Red Imported Fire Ant
Discovery of the occurrence of the Red Imported Fire Ant in Hong Kong in 2005 has aroused public’s attention. Apart from monitoring and applying chemical treatment to control the mounds from spreading, the authority also deployed officers oversea to learn from experiences of other countries on the control management and education work. Website, posters and workshops were being used to introduce to public the ecology of the Red Imported Fire Ant and ants in general.

3. Ten Scenic Spots Election
The Friends of the Country Parks has organized a campaign -“My Favorite Natural Places Election” in March to April 2005. Public were invited to elect 10 most favorite countryside spots out of 88 listed on the web. The election was completed smoothly with over 10,000nos of public members participated. The campaign was organized to match up with the 88th LIONS Clubs International Convention 2005 as well as the IUCN World Commission on Protected Area 5th Conference on Protected Areas of East Asia that took place in Hong Kong . Highlights of the listed 88 scenic spots have been incorporated into the book entitled “Eighty-eight Sites of Natural Wonders”.

Suggestions and responses

1. Mobile Phone Coverage in Countryside

1.1 One member pointed out that apart from increasing the coverage, it was recommended to encourage hikers to use the public channel 409 with walkie talkie for emergency use. The authority could also make use of the channel to release updated information on hill fire and thunderstorm, etc to the public.
The authority replied that the principle of using help line should be simple and targeted at mass. Mobile phones in fact could meet the need. Some mobile phone companies in fact have planned to install more stations at Tai Lam and Sai Kung to increase the coverage.

2. Hiking Trails

2.1 One member pointed out that owing to the frequent usage of Castle Peak Firing Range by hikers, the authority was recommended to clear the used cartridge cases scattered on ground and provide on-site guidance for hikers. The unique landscape of the gullies there also worth preserved.
The authority replied that the unique landscape at the Castle Peak Firing Range has long been attracting quite a lot of hikers. However, as the firing activities still took place there, the authority did not recommend hikers to make visit there due to the potential hazard. And, it would not be designated as Country Park due to the fact that the ecological value of the area was not high. One member pointed out that the site in fact fell within military restricted area with no-go warning signs to aware hikers.

2.2 One member concerned if the authority would construct more steps on trails to Sharp Peak and concrete path around the Plover Cove Reservoir.
The authority replied that there was no plan in the meantime to add more steps at the Sharp Peak but the authority would keep in view the erosion problem there to ensure safe hiking. Concrete steps would be used in seriously eroded area and only if there were no other alternatives. Natural material would be used to blend well with the environment. There was no plan neither to make concrete path around the Plover Cove Reservoir.

2.3 One member pointed out that the hiking trails from Ma On Shan to Wong Chuk Yueng were in poor condition that required maintenance.
The authority replied to follow up.

3. Way-marker and Information Broad

3.1 One member enquired if distance post was erected every 500m and why there were only 137nos of distance post along Wilson Trail , less than expected.
The authority replied that installation of distance post was to assist hikers in locating themselves and to report the exact location to rescue team for help. In principle, distance post was erected every 500m. However, some were strategically located so that they might not always be 500m apart. To enhance hiking safety, the authority has added some number plates to major trails and distance posts. An API was produced. The information including the grid references of all the distance posts were provided to the Police and other rescue teams for necessary action.

3.2 One member pointed out that the font size of the information on distance posts and other notices was too small and reflective. It was recommended to use alternative material and to enlarge the signage for elderly to read.
The authority would consider to change the material and to enlarge the size of the font and signage.

3.3 One member pointed out that there was insufficient landmark signage (e.g. those with the name of the mountain) for visitors to locate themselves as well as to take photo for record purpose.
The authority replied that installation of the signage at major mountains was in progress to facilitate visitors to locate themselves. The signage could be used for both photo taking and reporting location in rescue.

4. Country Park Facilities

4.1 One member pointed out that there was increasing hiking, fund raising and competition activities being organized in recent years. The member concerned if facilities such as toilet and rest place were enough to cope with the increase, especially some toilets were always lacking flushing water.
The authority replied that dry toilets and toilets relied on natural water source were being used in remote area. An additional 70nos of dry toilets were installed recently. The toilets relied on natural water source might run out of flushing water due to the unstable water source. The authority has tried to install more flushing toilets at places along main road (e.g. Tai Tong, Pak Tam Chung) to meet visitor’s need.

4.2 One member enquired if there was regular inspection and maintenance of Country Park facilities as the usage was high.
The authority replied that daily patrol to inspect the facilities and regular maintenance were being taken. However, owing the vase number of facilities and signage within Country Parks, it was welcomed that visitors could provide information to the authority if maintenance was necessary.

4.3 One member enquired the efficiency of the electrical barbecue pit and if it would be extended to other Country Parks.
The authority replied that the one-year trial scheme was welcomed by the public. Three sets of electrical barbecue pit (Note: located at Tai Mo Shan, Ma On Shan and Clear Water Bay Country Park ) would be continuously opened for public to make reservation. No extension was planned.

4.4 One member suggested installation of lockers along jogging trails for users.
The authority replied that installation of lockers in Country Parks had to take into account management, maintenance, safety and other environmental issues. As general practice, joggers and hikers seldom left their belongings before exercising. The need was considered not high and the recommendation would not be considered.

5. Cycling Activities and Motor Cycle Matters

5.1 One member suggested to open Man Yee Road of High Island for mountain cycling and enquired if it was appropriate to organize cycling competition within Country Parks. Another member noticed that some participants of the cycling competition failed to comply transport rules such as speeding and drive into opposite lane occasionally that posed hazard to others.
Representatives from the Hong Kong Cycling Association pointed out that organization of the event would mostly took place at road with low traffic flow and taken into consideration the safety of both participants and other road users. Most events were now taken place at Sai Kung and Bride’s Pool Road at Tai Po. The Association has requested the participants to pay attention to and to comply with the transport rules. Participant who has violated the rules would be disqualified. The Association has been requesting the Water Service Department (WSD) for years to open Man Yee Road of High Island for mountain cycling but was deferred as the road was mainly designed for maintenance purpose that was under general standard. However, they noticed that the WSD was more open to the proposal in recent years. Representatives from the Hong Kong Police Force (The Police) supported the Association to organize events at Man Yee Road . The authority welcomed the opening of Man Yee Road and would keep managing and monitoring the organization of cycling competition taken place in Country Parks.

5.2 One member concerned the motor cycling activities in Tai Lam Country Park and suspected that they were illegal.
The authority replied that only mountain bytes were allowed within designated mountain cycling trails. All motor cycles entering hiking trails were illegal. The authority have stepped up the patrolling and erected stone pillars to prevent them from entering. The authority also welcomed public to report suspected illegal mountain/ motor cycling activities direct to the Police, regional ranger offices or via hotline1823.

6. Pak Tam Chung Barrier Gate, Sai Kung

6.1 One member concerned the parking problem behind the gate including illegal parking and lack of parking space.
The authority replied that installation of the gate was to minimize vehicular entry. If illegal parking led to traffic jam, the Police would take prosecution action. One member disagreed to construct car park inside Park.

6.2 One member concerned smuggling activities within Sai Kung Country Park , especially it was reported that the activities involved vehicle without permit.
The Police expressed concern about the smuggling activities at Hoi Ha and Wong Shek. The Police have been taking cooperation with AFCD to monitor the use of gate and to take detailed records of all passing vehicles. The security guards of the gate were responsible to inspect and take records of the entry permits. Most of the visitors in fact obeyed the regulations. The Police together with AFCD would enhance the monitoring on smuggling and abuse on permit uses. Regarding the smuggling of pangolins, the authority have taken investigation and obtained advices from the Department of Justice.

6.3 One member suggested the authority to deploy staff to patrol and inspect the vehicles.
The authority pointed out that neither AFCD staff nor the security guards have authority to inspect vehicles. Public should report to the Police for any suspected activities/crimes detected.

6.4 One member suggested using bar code in recording.
The authority would consider the proposal but has to take into consideration of comments from other departments and issues such as resource allocation as change of the permit system would affect many users.

7. Boar Hunting

7.1 One member enquired if one could obtain a permit for hunting after completion of a two-day training course. The member worried that loosening of the regulation might pose hazard to other Country Parks users.
The authority replied that there were currently two boar hunting teams in Hong Kong , headed by team leaders with special permits from AFCD. To hunt boar, all the members should also bear arms permits issued by the Police. If necessary, the Police would deploy staff to monitor the hunting activities. Under the latest arrangement, AFCD would be responsible to set up the team and arrange the hunting activities upon receiving complaints from public/villagers. General public who were interested to join had to pass the written and firing test organized by the Police. Both the Police and the authority emphasized that all boar hunting activities should be taken for the sake of public safety and necessary safety precautions have to be taken, including posting of bilingual notices at the hunting area to inform nearby villagers and visitors. All hunting activities would be stopped if someone mis-entered the area to ensure visitors’ safety. One member suggested using red flag logo to notice visitors.

8. Development of Lantau Island

8.1 One member enquired the progress of designation of North Lantau County Park .
The authority replied that consultation was in progress.

8.2 One member enquired if the stone path below the route of cable car would be opened for public use.
The authority replied that the path was built for emergency use, maintained by the MTR company. It would be opened for public use during non-emergency period.

8.3 One member concerned the environmental impact brought by the road widening of Tung Chung Road and the construction of cable car.
The authority replied that application of the road widening of Tung Chung Road had passed the Environmental Impact Assessment and agreed by the Country and Marine Parks Authority. Most of the extension was taken along the original road, except that the slope at the southern part of Pak Kung Au was so steep that a path has to be built at the hill slope above. The construction of the cable car turnaround station at Nei Lak Shan and the stands required excavation of slope to insert poles. Restoration works would be taken after the construction. If tree feeling was necessary, the MTR company would have to take replanting compensation. The cable car project mostly made use of helicopter in delivery and partly by donkeys that brought little disturbance to the hill slope.

9. Others

9.1 The Police pointed out that there was increasing illegal tree felling of Chinese Pine and Incense Tree in the past two years. They urged hikers to report suspected acts to the Police by dialing 999. 90% of successful prosecution in the past relied on information provided by public.

9.2 One member enquired if mass threads tightened on trees to mark hiking routes that cause confusion was permitted or not.
The authority replied that hiking groups should not tighten threads on trees. The Police pointed out those hiking groups should cooperate to keep clean the countryside and leave no litter. Leaving the thread was equivalent to leaving litter. Using chalk would be better. The Police were also aware that some tree felling robbers would use thread as well in locating paths.

9.3 One member noticed the improvement in the litter problem of Tung Ping Chau, enquired if that was the result of enforcement and education and suggested to apply to other area.
The authority replied that effective nature conservation policy required integration of education, enforcement and management. Increase of visitors might not bring deterioration of hygiene of a place. The authority has enhanced the management, patrolling, promotion and enforcement to keep clean the environment of Tung Ping Chau to cope with the increase of visitors.

9.4 One member concerned the diminished flow of the fall at Ng Tung Chai due to possible blockage of the water source that would affect the scenery of the fall.
The authority replied that it was a natural phenomenon due to the low precipitation in the past one and a half year. There is no catchment in the upper course of the stream.

9.5 One member would like to seek view of the authority on the development of tourist facilities at the Peak and spa facilities at Tung Ping Chau proposed by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
The authority replied that all development inside protected area would be closely monitored and the spa proposal at Tung Ping Chau was cancelled.

9.6 One member pointed out that it was contradictory to promote marine conservation but at the same time publish guidebook on fishing as well as allow fishing within Marine Parks. One member concerned that fishing might affect the marine ecology.
The authority replied that the guidebook was published to introduce fish and fishing was a recreation activity. Fishing practiced by indigenous fishermen long before designation of Marine Parks. To take care of their living, fishing permits were offered by the authority that was legally accepted.

9.7 One member enquired the difference between Red Imported Fire Ant and Red Ant.
The authority replied that the Red Imported Fire Ant was exotic species and aggressive. Public might have acute allergic reactions if stung. As the Red Imported Fire Ant would reproduce rapidly and affect ecology, the authority have taken measures to monitor and control the spread (detailed information could be obtained from hknature.net). Public could seek help from Country Park rangers to identify the Red Imported Fire Ant.

9.8 One member enquired if the mistake on map HM20C voiced out in the 19th CPVLG meeting has been corrected.
The authority replied that most countryside series in use by hikers and map HM20C were produced by the Lands Department. The authority has forwarded the received comments to the Lands Department. The Lands Department also collected comments and updated the maps regularly. All hikers were welcomed to offer information.

End of meeting
The meeting ended at 5pm.