Board Members of the Country and Marine Parks Board： Mr. Kwok Chi Piu
AFCD representatives： Dr. F.Y. Wong (Chairman)
Dr. K.M. Yeung
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. Promotion of Hiking Safety
In view of the increasing popularity in hiking, the authority has enhanced the promotion of hiking safety as follows:
a. Publication of regional hiking leaflet (with hiking routes information and safety hints) in conjunction with District Councils (Sai Kung, Tai Po, Central and Western, Yuen Long and Islands) since November 2005;
b. Publication of Hiking All in One (Book 1 and 2), dissipating information on the four long distance hiking trails and 100 trails/routes under the management of the authority. The books introduce a grading system which measure 4 objective aspects of the route (i.e. distance, time required, gradient and trail conditions) aiming to provide hikers comprehensive information of a route. Visitors are encouraged to prepare well and hike on routes of their according ability.
2. Visitor Survey
a. With the introduction of 5-days work week, the authority expects an increase in the numbers of visitors, mostly novice, to the country parks. The department has stepped up promotion of hiking safety and provides comprehensive information on hiking through various media.
b. According to a visitor survey conducted in February 2006, hiking is the most favorite countryside activity of the public, other common activities includes camping, barbeque and strolling etc. The public has a wide spectrum of expectation to the management of country parks, the country parks visitor liaison group meeting serves as an important platform to share views among the public and the department. (A summary of the visitor survey could be viewed at http://www. afcd.gov.hk/tc_eng/country/cou_wha/files/common/VisitorSurvey2006.pdf)
Suggestions and responses
1. Hiking Trails
1.1 One participant opined that the existing trails could not cope with the growing number of hikers, and the department should establish more new trails.
The authority replied that it is now managing over 500 km of trails in the country parks, and are still exploring suitable trails that could be introduced to the public.
1.2 A participant commented that the way marks in certain stages of Wilson Trail is confusing.
The authority replied that the sections of Wilson Trail around Cheng Lan Shue, Sai Kung and Tai Po market are out of country parks area. The local district offices are managing those sections and furnish way marks. The way marking system is not the same as in the country parks and might need adjustment made by the hikers to follow the signs. The authority would continue to work with the district offices to improve the way markings.
1.3 A participant opined that furnishing litter bins at remote area would be a waste of resources as the amount of litter collected is limited. He suggested the authority to post notices at remote area reminding visitors to take the litter away on their own. Also, he noted that the litter bin at Lead Mine Pass were constantly scavenged and toiled by monkeys.
The authority replied that notice to remind visitors to take away their own litter has been erected at the trail heads of remote routes. The authority is constantly improving the design of litter bins to prevent the scavenging of monkeys, stray dogs and cows.
1.4 A participant is concerned that the operation of the cable car to Ngong Ping, Lantau would boost up the number of visitors in the area and induce problems with litter. He also suggested putting way marks on the path along the cable route to facilitate hikers.
The authority replied that the mentioned path is under the management of the cable car operator and is built for maintenance and rescue use. The authority would liaise with the operator in the future use and management of the path.
2. Facilities and trail maintenance
2.1 One participant pointed out that use of concrete in path construction is intrusive to the natural settings and would exert damage to ankle joints of long distance hikers.
The authority replied that natural material was used for path construction as far as technical and environmental conditions were feasible. Trail maintenance would take into consideration of the followings:
a. Nature of trail: According to the purpose and grading of the trail. E.g. If a trail was designated as a family walk, the surface of the trail would be maintained more often and the surface leveled to accommodate ability of all ages and ensure safety.
b. Gradient of trail: Maintained to avoid excessive erosion of the trail;
c. Stability: works might be required to ensure safety of visitors if the trail runs across stream course, on a slope etc.
There are a number of trails accessing villages in the country parks vicinity that is managed by the district office; these trails are normally concreted to facilitate the daily activities of villagers. Another participant opined that the concreted path in country parks also facilitate the access of physical challenged individuals.
3. Development in country parks area
3.1 One participant enquired the role of AFCD in approving development in country parks and whether AFCD would inform the public during the process.
The authority replied that consent of the authority is required for public works (e.g. waterworks, electricity and access road etc.) taking place in the country parks area. For development works in the country parks, district land offices will consolidate views form concerned departments including AFCD, and would approve the development when consent are given. District land office will post public notice to inform the public. The authority also posts announcement of the works within country parks on AFCD homepage for public information.
3.2 A participant is concerned about new buildings erected on farm land within village area encroached by country parks, such development would affect the environment of the country parks and enquire if the authority is monitoring such developments.
The authority replied that Lands Department is the authority for approving development outside country parks area. If the development would affect country parks area, Lands Department will consult the authority in the assessment for comments on the effects of development on ecology and conservation. Large scale development would be required to have an environmental impact assessment.
3.3 A participant opined that the visitors to Pak Lap, Sai Kung is increasing, and as the villagers are building more houses in the village, AFCD should facilitate the building of an access road to Pak Lap.
The authority replies that the building of roads within country parks would require an environmental impact assessment before further consideration; the authority would consider carefully the balance between needs of the villagers and the expectation of the society in the protection of country parks environment.
4. Mountain Biking
4.1 A participant welcome the authority in avoiding the concreting of trails, and suggests opening up more country parks area for mountain biking activities.
The authority replied that the extent or method of trail maintenance would base on nature to the route. When considering opening up mountain bike trials, the authority has to balance the needs of different user groups of the country parks, and would consult the views of relevant organizations.
4.2 A participant suggested recruiting volunteers to maintain mountain bike trails and that the volunteers could sign a liability release form as in countries aboard, which could solve the issues regarding insurance.
The authority replied that trail maintenance involved the use of equipments and works safety, the issue on liability and insurance must be clear before the promotion of proposed volunteer work. A participant reminded that according to regulation of Hong Kong, the government is liable for work related program even when the volunteer endorsed a liability release form. The authority has regularly discussed on the issue of trail use with mountain bike organizations and individual mountain bikers could contact the authority through email.
5. Education and Information on Country Parks
5.1 A participant opined that the scope of information provided, facilities and management of country parks in Hong Kong is comprehensive and advance when compared to that of China. On conservation measures, he suggested the authority to enhance the educational programs for students, including the introduction of country parks regulations, knowledge on conservation and hints on outdoor safety etc, in conjunction with stringent regulations to protect the country parks.
The authority replied that educational program of country parks including publication of nature resources and organization of seminars / workshops for teachers. The authority has consolidated a teacher network (over 150 teachers registered) to enhance the communication among the authority and teachers, and that better support could be provided to teacher’s need.
5.2 A participant suggested using LED display board for announcement of road cycling events in progress, in which way drivers and other road users would be alerted and would curtail the occurrence of accidents.
The authority replied that there are plans to put up all approved activities to be held in country on website for public information.
6. Others
6.1 A participant expressed concerns on the illegal felling of Buddha Pines.
The authority replied that the department has been in corporation with the Police in tackling the illegal Buddha Pine felling, including furnish of information and joint operation. The cases have involved offenders from the mainland and are a cross boarder maneuver which is having prior attention of the Police. The authority call on the participants to report to the Police when witness any illegal act in the country parks.
6.2 A participant reflected that he has tried to report smuggling activities in Hoi Ha Marine Parks at one incident but could not connect to mobile phone network in the area.
The authority welcomed the public to report any suspected incidents within country parks / marine parks to the Police or the authority. While the Office of Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) is working with network providers to enhance the mobile phone coverage in the country parks, the authority facilitate the work by:
d. Facilitate the use of land in country parks for establishment of base stations;
e. Assist in conductance of survey on mobile phone coverage in the country parks.
6.3 A participant commented that monkey-related hassles are on the rise in the Golden Hill and Shing Mun country parks.
The authority replied that publicity on monkey feeding ban is on going through public education (including banners and notice). A drop bar would be erected at the entrance to Kam Shan Road to discourage individuals from driving a vehicle into Kam Shan Road and feed the monkeys illegally. Other participants suggested to package monkey feeding as a tourist attraction.
6.4 A participant suggested the introduction of a Canadian grass for planting along trails to help prevent soil erosion.
The authority replied that exotic species could only be introduced after extensive studies and evaluated against principals of nature conservation (i.e. protection of native species etc)
6.5 A participant inquired if the Pak Tam Chung Barrier Gate would be retained.
The authority replied that after consultation with relevant departments and village representatives recently, the barrier gate would be retained.
End of meeting
The meeting ended at 5pm.
