New Nature Conservation Policy

We have reviewed the existing nature conservation policy and measures, and consulted the public on practicable ways to better achieve the nature conservation objectives, in particular to enhance conservation of ecologically important sites which are in private ownership.  We have drawn up a new nature conservation policy under which ―

�H	there is a new policy statement with clearer vision and policy objectives;
�H	a scoring system has been adopted for assessing the relative ecological importance of sites with the objective of identifying a list of priority sites for enhanced conservation; 
�H	a pilot scheme will be implemented for the two new measures, viz. management agreements with landowners and public-private partnership (PPP);
�H	existing nature conservation measures will continue and be enhanced;
�H	the Wetland Advisory Committee will be converted into a nature conservation sub-committee of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE);
�H	conservation education and publicity will be enhanced; and
�H	establishment of a nature conservation trust will be further explored.

The New Policy Statement

Our nature conservation policy is to regulate, protect and manage natural resources that are important for the conservation of biological diversity of Hong Kong in a sustainable manner, taking into account social and economic considerations, for the benefit and enjoyment of the present and future generations of the community. 

Our policy objectives are ―

�H	to identify and monitor the important components of biological diversity; to identify, designate and manage a representative system of protected areas for the conservation of biological diversity; 
�H	to promote the protection of ecosystems and important habitats, and the maintenance of viable populations of species in natural surroundings; 
�H	to identify, monitor and assess activities that may have adverse impacts on biological diversity and to mitigate such impacts; 
�H	to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems and promote the recovery of threatened species where practicable;
�H	to promote the protection and sustainable use of natural resources that are important for the conservation of biological diversity;
�H	to provide opportunities for people to appreciate the natural environment;
�H	to promote public awareness of nature conservation; 
�H	to collaborate with the private sector including the business community, non-governmental organisations and the academia to promote nature conservation, and to conduct research and surveys as well as to manage ecologically important sites for such purpose; and
�H	to co-operate with and participate in regional and international efforts in nature conservation. 

Priority sites for enhanced conservation

We have convened an Expert Group to draw up a list of priority sites for enhanced conservation based on an agreed scoring system. 

List of priority sites for enhanced conservation

Sites	Rank	
Ramsar Site	1	
Sha Lo Tung	2	
Tai Ho	3	
Fung Yuen	4	
Luk Keng Marsh	4	
Mui Tsz Lam and Mau Ping	6	
Wu Kau Tang	7	
Long Valley and Ho Sheung Heung	8	
Deep Bay Wetland outside Ramsar Site	9	
Cheung Sheung	10	
Yung Shue O	10	
Sham Chung	12	

Management Agreements with Landowners

Under this new measure, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including green groups, educational institutions and community organisations, may apply for funding from the Government for entering into management agreements with the landowners for enhancing conservation of the priority sites identified.  The Environment and Conservation Fund Committee has agreed to allocate $5 million to implement pilot projects for this measure. 

Public-Private Partnership 

Under this new measure, developments at an agreed scale will be allowed at the ecologically less sensitive portion of any of the priority sites identified provided that the developer undertakes to conserve and manage the rest of the site that is ecologically more sensitive on a long-term basis.  In the light of the complexities and uncertainties involved, we will proceed with a few pilot projects first. 
 
We will allow six months for submission of applications.  Application guidelines are available on the webpages of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau (ETWB) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).  We will review the pilot scheme on management agreements and PPP in two to three years’ time.  Based on the experience gained, we will determine the way forward of these two measures in the long run.

Enhance existing conservation measures 

We will continue and enhance the existing nature conservation measures, including designation of country parks, special areas, marine parks, marine reserves and conservation zonings, and implementation of conservation plans for important habitats and species. 

AFCD will also review the existing land use zonings of ecologically important sites to see whether there is scope to better conserve the sites through tightening the existing measures related to conservation zonings on town plans. 

ACE Nature Conservation Sub-committee

To enhance ACE’s role in nature conservation, we will convert the Wetland Advisory Committee, which advises AFCD on matters concerning wetland conservation, into a sub-committee on all nature conservation matters under ACE. 

Public education and publicity

We will enhance public education and publicity on the importance and significance of conserving biological diversity, and the correct attitude towards wildlife.  We will also work together with the relevant policy bureaux/departments to raise their nature conservation awareness. 

Nature Conservation Trust

Establishment of a nature conservation trust can facilitate pooling of funds from all sectors to sustain nature conservation efforts.  Injection of funds into a trust by developers to finance the long-term management of the conserved sites under the PPP initiative is one possibility.  Sustainability and cost-effectiveness of the fund are main issues of concern, and we will further examine the idea when the pilot projects are implemented. 

Further information 

	For further information including background of the nature conservation policy review and the public consultation exercise, please browse the webpages of ETWB (www.etwb.gov.hk) and AFCD (www.afcd.gov.hk).