Home » Posts » Sustainable Lantau Office talks of but doesn’t implement nature conservation measures
The Sustainable Lantau Office (SLO) was established by Hong Kong’s Civil Engineering and Development Department; given its origins perhaps hardly surprising that it has failed to achieve much regarding sustainability, but perhaps must keep hoping.
I’ve had quite some correspondence with the SLO over the years; even made a couple of short films for them, on the trail from Shek Pik to Tai O, and the Tung O Ancient Trail from Tung Chung to Tai O.
Further destruction of Pui O wetland
For instance, I sent this in January 2018:
As you’ll know, there’s further destruction of Pui O wetland underway; has me wondering how much of it will remain if I ever get go ahead for the film project! [not sure why six months needed for ECF decisions; update: never mind, I didn’t get it]
A bit of info here, in case may add to what you already know:
“The owner of a Pui O wetland site already in breach of several environmental laws has begun building a brick wall around the plot.
Construction of the wall at the site, next to the Pui O beach car park, began on Tuesday.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) says its surveillance camera captured fly-tipping – a criminal offence – on the site between November 20 and 23 on the site. The owner applied to the Town Planning Board to change the land use to agriculture on November 27.
The Pui O wetland is zoned Coastal Protection Area under local planning rules, but this carries no enforcement or penalty.”
I’ve seen blueprint with “conserve Pui O wetland” among the plans. But as you know, it’s a “Coastal Protection Area”, yet without any real protection, just suffering piecemeal destruction – a bit here, a bit there.
May make you wonder how to really achieve sustainable development for south Lantau; if aim is for actual “sustainable development” [however hard to define].
But then, conservation is very very difficult to achieve in practice; may seem easy on surface, but in practice far harder than many an engineering project I believe.
Well, hope you and your colleagues can indeed somehow protect the Pui O wetland, and various other sites of value for biodiversity on Lantau – Mui We wetland has been severely impacted since I first went; jus seen photo of excavator digging around at Shui Hau, for reasons unknown.
Prompt reply from SLO:
Our Head and I visited Pui Po in end Dec 2017 and noted the worsening situation there. We saw, as you have already pointed out, dumping/filling materials over the wetland. Our colleagues also jointed the site visit with the complainants and other government departments, including EPD.
We understand that the issue of dumping/land filling on private land has been lingering on for more two decades and there is currently no effective means to deal with the situation.
However, we are arranging a meeting with colleagues of the relevant departments (EPD, PlanD, etc) and try our best to see what we can do.
From me:
Glad you’ve seen this at Pui O; though maybe not yet the new wall. I also learn of excavation at Shui Hau. – maybe some opportunism ahead of government efforts for conservation? [conservation announced in Lantau blueprint; but it turns out no one really knew quite how to achieve it! – and a few landowners and others had other ideas] Not all landowners; I joined a site inspection with EPD officials, and one of people was a landowner, not happy about dumping on a plot very close to land owned by his family.
Glad, too, you are arranging a meeting with colleagues. Hope for some ideas; may require a bit of creativity, as well as being backed by political will, enforcement.
I believe nature tourism could be part of the solution. – some years ago, I included the buffalo fields in a booklet I worked on for the HK Tourism Board; hoped some people would visit, spend in local shops and restaurants.
Not easy I know; patly as not such huge money as housing can generate. Also, how to raise money, and get fair shares to local people? Yi O cooperative ideas may give some clues for way forward; but would indeed be unusual for Hong Kong. [I can think of a place I’ve been in Indonesia, where tourism helps local people through a cooperative type venture].
There’s also great potential for habitat management – attract more birds etc, in turn attract more people
Ah well, perchance to dream!
SLO requested ideas for nature tourism at Pui O, which I sent
Brief from SLO:
Thanks again for your sharing. We will try our best to see what we can do! We hope that we can put brains together for new ideas. You’ve mentioned nature tourism could be part of the solution. Can you share with us your idea in more details?
I went to Yim Tin Tsai, Sai Kung, for first time last weekend.
There’s a village revitalisation project; led to flourishing small scale tourism – with HK people the main “tourists”; I noticed several restaurants with outdoors seating, along with exhibition, demonstration of salt making [so traditional culture].
Hope you’ve been; but if not maybe worth a look. Website www.yimtintsai.org
I know such things are not easy; just had quick email exchange with a friend working on Lai Chi Wo project.
– but as I mentioned, conservation is extremely hard in practice.
Hope the ideas I sent are useful; and maybe add to the many ideas you and colleagues have, so that can do something beneficial for Pui O and elsewhere, not just “watch” as they deteriorate.
Another prompt reply, so quite a flurry in January 2018:
We visited Yim Tin Tsai last year and appreciated the efforts of the villagers there in revitalizing their home.
To take forward the conservation initiatives in the Sustainable Lantau Blueprint promulgated in June 2017, we have launched the Ecological Study for Pui O, Shui Hau, Tai O and Neighbouring Areas to review and consolidate the existing ecological information of the Study Area and explore feasible conservation measures for Pui O, Shui Hau and Tai O, taking into account relevant experience. We are also arranging to set up an expert group to explore practical conservation measures for these ecologically important areas with concerted effort from the experts and relevant departments.
Your further information on any other conservation measures is welcome.
Couple of emails from me, linked here:
Thanks for the reply and info. Glad you’ve been to Yim Tin Tsai.
Is there scope for joining the expert group?
I’ve seen Japanese Yellow Bunting, an endangered species [globally] at Pui O. Only one.
Yellow-breasted Bunting, now Critically Endangered worldwide, is evidently regular at Yi O; but that’s better known.
… Also, I sent several ideas re Pui O, plus the Lantau sustainable plan.
Not encouraging to send more information etc, if it seems the information just goes into a black hole; not with chance to help carry ideas forward.
Response from SLO, February 2018:
Your photos attached in your email on 15 Jan 2018 actually capture the essence of why we commenced an ecological study in December 2017 covering the ecologically important habitats in Pui O and some other areas in Lantau with a view to exploring feasible conservation measures for these sites.
As mentioned in our previous emails, we have already set up an expert group to provide expert advice on the methodology of the ecological survey as well as practical conservation measures for these ecologically important areas at a later stage. However, your suggestions and views are also welcome. We would ask the consultants to consider and incorporate your suggestions and views as appropriate.
On the dumping issue, we have been actively coordinating with relevant departments with a view to tackling the issue concerned in Lantau. We first target to tackle the issue at source by issuing letters to relevant stakeholders, including government works departments, public organizations and works contractors of private developments to remind them of their responsibility on proper disposal of construction and demolition materials. In parallel, we are exploring other measures together with relevant departments/bureaux.
We share the same vision to keeping Lantau a beautiful place.
Next from me maybe in April 2018:
Yi O interesting yesterday; rice fields just planted. I think this could develop further, as wetland and more of some value to wildlife.
A few shots here.
Any response to the Pui O ideas I sent back in January?
Consultants of ecological study gathering information; yet much is known already
Again, a prompt reply:
Thanks for your email and sharing on the beautiful photos.
Our consultants of the Ecological Study are now gathering information on the ecological values of the priority sites in Pui O, Shui Hau and Tai O. With this information, they are required to propose and evaluate feasible conservation measures at a later stage, taking into account other examples in Hong Kong. We will provide feedback on the proposed conservation measures once ready.
On promoting public education on nature conservation at South Lantau, we are also exploring some initiatives to be implemented by our Office. We could share them later on when we have developed more details.
By August, an email from me as nothing positive seemed to be happening:
It’s been almost nine months since the Sustainable Lantau Office was established.
Just writing to ask if you have achieved anything; is anywhere on Lantau now in better shape than when the office was established on 1 Dec 2017?
You have written to me of a study; but studies are all too easy – even before this study, we all knew regarding key sites, problems, action needed.
In which case, studies can be like filibustering in a government meeting – talk talk and talk, while procrastinating about actually doing anything important.
You asked for my ideas; I kindly sent a plan for actually doing something positive at Pui O, rather than staying in office and commissioning a study.
No word of anything happening. Re-attached here.
Lately, you have seen more destruction, with small scale development planned to follow, at Cheung Sha.
So, I wonder, has the Sustainable Lantau Office achieved anything worthwhile?
And if not, what is the point of the office?
Is it just for window dressing, to make it look as if there is official support for sustainable Lantau, even though no action to follow?
In October 2018, it still seemed nothing was happening; I sent a couple of emails:
Thanks for the emails; I did receive them, just been slow to respond.
So in essence: you have done nothing to actually protect any areas of note for nature on Lantau.
You write of studies etc being necessary.
Yet you did not start at “year zero”, with no information known: the government has been aware for years that the “Coastal Protection Area” is a joke, and need proper legislation.
Likewise we knew a lot regarding important places for wildlife, threats faced.
The “snapshot” is appalling regarding natural environment. “Improvement” at Mui Wo and Tai O excludes biodiversity; nothing of the wetlands there, or the woodlands, no recognition of the tree felling that has lately occurred. [or of the tree planting near Mui Wo].
Nothing of the problems; just by a bunch of people who really don’t know, don’t care.
In my view, if you mainly engineers in the “Sustainable” Lantau Office had been put in charge of a hospital – something for which you are perhaps just as qualified … – you would still have patients in the waiting room, with nobody treating wounds, mending broken bones etc, while you have other people doing study after study, passing bits of paper around between departments etc.
A zealous birder friend has just abandoned Pui O as his “local patch”, as a result of the habitat destruction there – which is indeed appalling, and has continued since the Office started messing about with reports, snapshots, procrastinating and filibustering.
I went to Pui O on Sunday; there were a few birds including a Yellow-breasted Bunting – which as you know is a Critically Endangered species worldwide. [the previous weekend I’d seen three at Yi O]
– but to me terribly sad to see the wanton destruction, it seems resulting from combination of greed and government couldn’t care less attitude.
Well, I don’t know about you and colleagues having families.
But as the natural world goes downhill, you were tasked with supposedly helping halt and even reverse the declines in a small yet wonderful part of it.
So what will you say to your children, grandchildren, if and when they asked what you did to benefit Lantau?
– I guess that even if it is decades later, you will answer that studies are still underway, there are procedures blah blah blah blah.
You may feel unhappy at being pilloried for doing nothing substantial for nature conservation on Lantau;
maybe it seems okay for you and colleagues to take your juicy salaries, play a role akin to green window dressing for the made concreting plans of Gordon Wu and others.
Yet issues are not restricted to Lantau, as you might read in news today.
On the face of it, you have an opportunity to do some good, achieve a little “sustainability” rather than have this as some mindless phony buzzword.
Well, my wife says it’s useless even trying with people like you. But I do; I actually care, know we humans can do better, so pitiful at failing like this.
Engineers, too, need air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat etc; and likely have children, hopes for future generations.
Even engineers cannot live by concrete and money alone!
Anyway, you’ll have seen this news today; Guardian usually good for coverage like this.
The huge loss is a tragedy in itself but also threatens the survival of civilisation, say the world’s leading scientists.
Not alone in sharing frustrations with SLO
Others were also sharing frustrations with SLO; and the office sent this:
Thank you for the email and proposals from Dr. Martin Williams. Also noting the emails of Paul, Martin Lerigo and Dr Yam, I would like to take this opportunity for a reply to all please. We fully understand that the general public would wish to see concrete result of our conservation works immediately, instead of waiting for the study findings. We would like to stress that our studies are necessary. For example, the Ecological Study is conducted on the request of many stakeholders including LegCo members and green groups with the view to establishing a baseline for subsequent monitoring and identification of conservation works required. We follow the established practice to conduct a 12-month survey for a comprehensive baseline on the ecological values of the priority sites at Pui O, Shui Hau and Tai O. With such in hand, the importance of different habitats could be objectively determined and conservation measures could be well substantiated. As for the habitat enhancement works suggested by Dr. Martine Williams, our consultants will take on board suitability when formulating the overall conservation measures for Pui O.
We acknowledge that many conservation resources in Lantau are under private ownership. We have made it clear under various occasions that South Lantau is for conservation where no major development would be allowed. At the same time, suitable promotion and education could benefit the public and local business, bring out a win-win situation. In this sense, we agree with Dr. Williams that nature tourism is a way forward to engage the owners and share the natural resources with the community for public enjoyment. Along this line, we have recently disseminated the Tai O Leisure and Recreation Plan to the public (via our webpage, at Tung Chung MTR Station, Tung Chung Development Pier and Tai O Pier as well as in the ferry to Tai O) together with the launching of additional ferry services from Tung Chung to Tai O during weekends and public holidays. We prepare and promulgate the plan in tandem with the improved ferry services with the view, not just to providing the visitors with better information about the culture, heritage and natural environment of Tai O, but also to encouraging visitors touring off-centre within Tai O so to address the overcrowded situation, as well as to reminding them a respectful attitude towards the tranquility of the village. Similar plans for other areas would be prepared one by one, where Pui O is one of the targeted sites. This would help promote public knowledge and awareness on the conservation resources of the areas and be conducive to nature tourism and local economy.
As for the database on land filling and fly-tipping of construction materials, the Government gets hold of such database and has established an inter-departmental coordination mechanism in 2008, under the coordination of the Environmental Protection Department. To tackle environmental vandalism in Lantau, which has been at top of our agenda, we keep on exploring with relevant bureaux and departments all possible measures, not confining to those under the existing mechanism. We target, not just to tackle environmental vandalism, but to achieve sustainable conservation of Lantau. Therefore, we carry out our works in a multi-front approach towards the directions of promoting community education, enhancing protection and control, and facilitating public enjoyment. The conservation works we shared with Dr. Yam in our earlier email below are all geared towards such end.
Lastly, within the Government system with established mechanism of the legal and administrative practices by relevant bureaux and departments. It is an essential step to thoroughly explore ideas and options in something “out of the box” is to be achieved. Until we could come up with something practical and agreeable by responsible bureaux and departments, we wish you could understand that we are not able to advise you our “work plan” in further details as it involves lots of internal Government procedures and liaisons. It is also the responsibility of the Government to avoid causing confusion to or unnecessary expectation from different stakeholders, including not only green groups, but also local communities and the public. That said, we will suitably make it known to the public should there be more concrete progress.
Eventually, in early 2010, there was a meeting between several green groups and individuals including me, and SLO plus a few government department representatives. This was a cordial meeting; with a chance to learn of red tape etc hindering progress. There was also a field trip, to see various sites on south Lantau that have been impacted by sometimes illegal developments. But, alas, nothing much for nature conservation on Lantau has transpired since.
Info on village revitalisation
I followed up with some information on village revitalisation:
Not Yim Tin Tsai, but I think that’s another example of what’s possible.
– difficult, I know.
Attached is from North Yorkshire Moors National Park, near my hometown in England.
[my hometown is also a seaside resort; so maybe this helps make me more enthusiastic about tourism to help communities; but for local businesses in situation like Lantau]
– I mentioned about local businesses like shops, restaurants, hotels that can be very busy; but also places still look great, with planning controls. Not all farmers etc may be happy with restrictions, but it seems to work well overall.
I once went to Cape Town; was impressed by rural villages, including one called Scarborough [same as my hometown; so I stopped there to have a look]
Found Cape Town has some guidelines etc regarding developments in “heritage” areas.
…
Looking for Cape Town guidelines, also found this. – and reminded me of simple map I did a few years ago.
Also an upbeat response, in January 2020:
So much thanks for the sharing of information. In particular, I love the green map as well as the planning advice/requirements which are right on our track. The information is rich and informative, not mentioning the relevancy of our intent that I have read and read and forgot to have my lunch.
I sent more info on Shui Hau and Pui O, including birds there, with photos. Also among people messaging SLO in late 2020 regarding further damage at Pui O; a reply:
Thank you for informing the situation at Pui O.
Upon receiving your information, we have arranged inspection to the site on the same day and noted that site formation works and associated activities were taking place at Lot 2366 and another site near the “holiday camp”. Also on the same day, we have alerted relevant departments, e.g. LandsD, BD, PlanD and EPD for their investigation under respective purview.
From the inspection of EPD on 6 Nov, they observed no construction waste and detected no non-compliance of pollution control ordinances. The case is currently under investigation by departments, you will been updated with their findings once available.
Explanation from the Planning Department, re Zoning Plan
Led to an email from the Planning Department:
I refer to your email dated 5.11.2020 to the Sustainable Lantau Office of Civil Engineering and Development Department regarding environmental vandalism in Pui O, Lantau, which was subsequently conveyed to this office.
Pui O area is covered by the approved South Lantau Coast Outline Zoning Plan No. S/SLC/21 (the OZP). As it was not previously covered by Development Permission Area Plan, the planning enforcement power under Town Planning Ordinance is not applicable within this area. All uses/ developments would need to comply with the regulations/ requirements of relevant government departments.
Please note that, on 11.12.2020, the Town Planning Board rejected a review application No.A/SLC/161 under section 17 of the Town Planning Ordinance for a proposed holiday camp (caravan holiday camp and tent camping ground). The details of the planning application, departmental comments and planning considerations and assessments are covered in the TPB paper No.10700 (available on the TPB’s website at https://www.info.gov.hk/tpb/en/meetings/TPB/Agenda/1236_tpb_agenda.html).
I replied in late December 2020, cc’ing SLO:
Like others concerned re Lantau environment, I’m very aware re Pui O covered by OZP, and the “Coastal Protection Area” that affords very little actual protection.
It is way past time for the government to do some actual planning, not just zoning but come up with plans; and take some action rather than keeping up the pretence the OZP inc CPA is really so useful.
Too much to ask it seems; but I keep hoping.
Good the holiday camp application was rejected.
Strange that two holiday camps keep operating, just to east of this site; same owner I believe, and without approval.
And the area for which the application was made, was supposedly transformed – by destroying more of Pui O’s shrinking wetland – for farming.
How about Shap Long; are development efforts there within the CPA, and really permitted?
Is any care taken to ensure “ding uk” houses are indeed for local people; who indeed then live in them?
– rather than being to reap profits from very high rental rates? [Wot, no penalties if just for-profit ventures?]
How about the vegetation destruction on ridge between Shap Long and Pui O? – on this OZP map seems to be in country park, though sign says it’s private area.
I know the government knows about this destruction; joined an outing with some environmentalists and members of govt depts that inspected this and other areas in spring. The destruction here has become much worse since then.
Conservation is not just about fine words, nice public relations style reports.
It’s hard; requires real action. Hope there can be some, before too much of Lantau lowlands is lost.
In May 2021, I sent SLO brief information on a small wetland restoration project in the UK; received:
I am sure there must be a lot of drive and efforts behind the scene, by which these are our duties. But at Pui O, one of the major difficulties is too many private lands and Lantau Conservation Fund can help. We will strive to do more and more, just simply that we love this place and it’s our home/motherland.
Plans for “eco-recreation corridor”
In spring 2024, the SLO released plans for an “eco-recreation corridor” on south Lantau. I was among respondents; also helped with a joint submission on the proposal by green groups. I also emailed SLO directly, receiving:
The proposals we suggested for the South Lantau Eco-recreation Corridor are the preliminary initiatives, and preliminary technical assessments on ecology, environment, traffic and infrastructure have been carried out by our consultants to confirm that these proposals will not have adverse impacts on South Lantau. When taking forward individual projects in the next stage, we will conduct detailed technical assessments on the ecological, environmental (including water bodies) and traffic impacts, etc. and also with due consideration for promoting sustainable eco-tourism along South Lantau.
Thus, we just commenced a 2-month public engagement exercise and open to hear from anyone of their views on our proposals.
There have been tons of discussion on how to promote conservation, and undoubtedly there is a consensus that conservation needs proper management, supporting facilities and education. We consider that introduction of proper attractions with proper facilities by incorporating of educational elements would be an effective way to raise public awareness on conservation.
As always, we are open to hear from you from time to time, including the public engagement in the below website. Thanks. https://www.lantau.gov.hk/en/home/index.html
My response, June 2024:
Imagine having “our consultants” paid by Lantau loving greenies; how might their assessments differ?
Can ask which they prefer:
a) Lantau
b) Money
“Tons of discussion”; and here these plans that are “eco” in name only have nothing about safeguarding/ enhancing the natural environment on Lantau.
– none of the management you mention.
No enhancement for the dwindling Pui O wetland area [which is sometimes dryland, which could be reversed].
No appreciation of sensitivity of Shui Hau flats: over harvesting of shellfish already [have you seen a horseshoe crab there? Tho I figure you barely go anywhere near Lantau for most of your work, much as colleagues, alas]; nor of shorebirds being impacted by disturbance.
Nothing, either, of idea that enhanced natural areas could be attractions; with care that is not evident in the plans.
Something you and colleagues might try: go to Cheung Sha or Pui O late on a fine summer’s day, especially weekend, and await public transport to Tung Chung.
May give you time to reflect, and experience other than commissioning from consultants.
SLO replied:
Thank you for your email dated 25 July 2024, expressing your valuable comments regarding the study of the “South Lantau Eco-recreation Corridor”.
We will consider your comments, as well as the views collected during the public engagement, and we will optimise and refine the details of the study proposals in the future stage.
Well, I don’t know if my valuable comments, or those of green groups and others, were really considered, but the eco-recreation [eco-wrecking?] plans did not seem to change much, if at all, before being released to try and entice developers to express interest in the project. In April 2024, I emailed SLO:
Just read the document for EOI on the eco-wrecking corridor.
Good grief; is that the best you could come up with? Consultants really so useless, even though you surely paid them a lot of money?!
– they clearly have no clue about ecology, eco-tourism. [luge!!!! – WTF]
Why isn’t this restricted to green groups, like the projects given peanuts through green funds?
Answer of course is that it’s not eco, it’s concreting development.
Why nothing about improving the natural/almost natural environment?
Answer: no one really cares. Just use “eco” for window dressing.
As to those projects with peanuts in grants: it should be clear to all in SLO now, that for effective conservation on private land – ie the key areas – need to ensure rights to enable management to enhance biodiversity etc.
The rice farming at Shui Hau isn’t achieving much; and it will not do so. Need more than this.
But other projects have had no noticeable impacts whatsoever. WWF “smart” project at Shui Hau – how the hell can that improve anything?
Well, you know that government should really grasp the nettle, buy land and/or pay for management rights [cf Mai Po etc etc]
While you don’t do this, you can’t achieve anything substantial for conservation of lowlands on Lantau. Just talk, hot air, fine words with no real achievements.
But, issue is of course, no one really cares!
Even Shenzhen is doing way better. [photos here, from an eco park accessible to public for no charge]
Deeply, deeply sad; and pathetic.
I could show you some of the birds at Shui Hau, say; or try – the tidal flats have been good for migrants in past few days.
But alas, seems SLO is about sitting in an office, shuffling bits of paper, handing out peanuts, and coming up with woeful plans, maybe blaming consultants if they’re awful when you folks should have great expertise and ideas yourselves by now.
What do you want to show your kids, grandkids, friends and others in future?
Your concerns are well noted. We treasure the rich natural resources and high biodiversity in South Lantau. As explicitly stated in our EOI invitation document, the development South Lantau Eco-recreational Corridor has to follow the overarching principle of Conservation for the South. The proposed facilities are only recommended in areas with low ecological value and not in large scale. During the EOI exercise, we will take into account the market feedback appropriately and continue to explore ways to further enhance and refine the proposals with due regard the the environment impact arising from the project.
My response, 24 April 2025:
Pah, concerns are noted!
Trouble with the EOI, is it just mentions the principle of conservation, without any actual conservation.
Conservation is not pretty much ignoring best habitats, no matter whether they need help; and destroying areas of greenery including in green belt.
You should all know this by now; SLO was established years ago.
May start as engineers, no real excuse for so lacking in awareness; other than just getting salaries and not caring.
You likewise merely “noted” but actually ignored joint response from green groups, response from Designing HK, and presumably others from groups and people who actually know and care about Lantau, biodiversity and ecotourism.
“eco-recreation” is also just a buzz phrase to you.
Nothing as per eco-tourism in its best sense; and I of course know eco-tourism is a much abused term, often by those seeking profiteering with a green veneer.
Years have passed since an email from SLO, saying you wanted ecotourism for Lantau, rather as in a proposal I kindly sent free of charge.
And as for HK$11 million for the Binnie’s report; well it looks like eco-recreation [wrecking] corridor could have been easily written within a week by an intern who did not even have to visit Lantau.
You folks could and should do so much better.
Lantau, its wildlife, people who care about nature, and local communities, deserve far better.
And please, no more “noted” bollocks when you just mean “ignored”.
…
I received this from SLO in April 2018:
//Thanks for your email and sharing on the beautiful photos.
Our consultants of the Ecological Study are now gathering information on the ecological values of the priority sites in Pui O, Shui Hau and Tai O. With this information, they are required to propose and evaluate feasible conservation measures at a later stage, taking into account other examples in Hong Kong. We will provide feedback on the proposed conservation measures once ready.
On promoting public education on nature conservation at South Lantau, we are also exploring some initiatives to be implemented by our Office. We could share them later on when we have developed more details.//
• seems good, but about nothing since. Birdw soc limited to rice at Shui Hau, hardly ideal; and nothing for visitors, nor ability to restrict camping and other disturbance – especially at the tidal flats.
Major problem, surely, is government not wanting to buy rights to manage the lowland areas… As in some other parts of hk.
Shui Hau birding good but not in new rice fields funded by Sustainable Lantau Office grants
Another email from me to SLO, 12 May 2025:
Some more photos from Shui Hau, taken yesterday. You’ll be familiar with G-t Tattler, near threatened species, regular at Shui Hau.
None of photos taken within the rice fields; I looked for birds there, didn’t notice any other than a little egret.
As I’ve mentioned, can do far better for wetland habitats for nature than rice fields.
cf Long Valley, “buffalo field” at Mai Po.
If you were indeed intent on conservation in the south, this is among projects you could conduct.
But, you hire consultants that know and care little about biodiversity, nature conservation, ecotourism or even tourism – and producing appalling proposals.
You folks did ask me for my ideas re Pui O, I kindly sent for free.
Waste of my time.
You’re just hell bent on unpleasant planning; perhaps it’s your instructions from above, but still dire for your life’s work, legacy.
Ecological Study has some strong information and fine proposals for nature conservation on south Lantau
14 May 2025: just received this from Sustainable Lantau Office, after my emails about lack of conservation in the “Ecorecreation Corridor”:
Thank you for your email. The proposals of the Corridor will be reviewed and refined taking into account the feedback from the EOI submissions and in line with the overarching principle of “Conservation for the South” with due regard to the possible environment implication. Please be assured that stakeholder engagement will continue during the course of development of the Corridor. The Ecological Study mentioned in the preceding email has already been completed and the ecological information collected in Pui O, Shui Hau and Tai O has been made public. The Executive Summary of the study is available on CEDD website:- https://www.cedd.gov.hk/filemanager/eng/content_961/23/CE_62_2017_Executive_Summary_Eng.pdf
Well, that summary is new to me, even though it’s from 2021; a quick look, and some good info and proposals. I’ve replied:
Thanks for the reply. Hope the review of the Corridor proposal leads to something good.
I should clarify:
in writing in my email about “consultants that know and care little about biodiversity, nature conservation, ecotourism or even tourism – and producing appalling proposals.”I meant the consultant/consultants behind the Corridor proposal – ie Binnie’s, not sure about others involved. [Maybe Binnie’s has such knowledge and care, but chose to ignore it in this case] The Ecological Study consultant knows about biodiversity; thanks for linking to the report.Though I see the shorebirds at Shui Hau are only given rather sparse treatment. Grey-tailed Tattler not mentioned; Near threatened globally; nor Broad-billed Sandpiper, harder to find there, but now Vulnerable, globally.Nor making the point this is Hong Kong’s best shorebird site outside Deep Bay. Does note of importance for them, however. It appears this ecological report was “siloed”, kept well separate from the Corridor plans. I also see the Ecological Study has various conservation proposals, including enhancing/restoring marsh at Pui O.These plans are exactly along the lines of what is required for “Conservation in the South” as a reality, not a slogan.[See also proposals I’ve sent, similarities…] So you know this.Yet a decision has been made to mothball these proposals; and to instead aim for the conservation-free Corridor proposals. I hope/suspect several people involved would prefer the Ecological Study’s proposals, or something similar; which could help boost ecotourism, bring some extra revenue.This is not just some out of touch, ecowarrior notion; but fits with recent changes in mainland China tourists increasingly seeking natural places here [yes, with big issues too, as in the Geopark; hordes of visitors to Shui Hau tidal flats would be awful. But these are challenges, not necessarily insurmountable; and Shui Hau is not such a place for amazing photos to share on Little Red Book…] See also re
Nearly four in five residents believe Hong Kong should take advantage of its ecology to further develop “green” and “blue” tourism, a survey has found
Sadly, such conservation efforts, and ecotourism, would mean abandoning most of the Corridor proposal, which you might find very tough to achieve, given some “high ups” perhaps like the corridor idea, even if rarely or never been to south Lantau.Budget could be far more modest, however; which would seem a huge plus, especially if no developer wants to spend money and resources on south Lantau with reasons to doubt there will be a return on monies spent. And you should find support not criticisms from green groups, along with appreciation by many Hong Kong people – latter is surely worthwhile! So too with results I hope you could be proud to share with friends and family.
Let’s foster the sustainable development of Lantau with concerted efforts
Emailed reply from SLO:
Thank you for your emails of 12 May 2025@09:46 and 19 May 2025@13:20 providing valuable suggestions/comments and sharing stunning bird photos. As mentioned in our previous replies on 14 May 2025, the proposals of the Corridor will be further enhanced and refined bearing in mind the overarching principle of “Conservation for the South” with due regard to the possible environment implication. As such, the focus of Shui Hau and Pui O will be on providing nature education activities. The proposed facilities are only recommended in areas with low ecological value and not in large scale. Consultation will continue during the course of development of the Corridor. Let’s foster the sustainable development of Lantau with concerted efforts.
More hopeful? I replied:
Thanks for your further reply.
Great to aim for the sustainable development of Lantau with concerted efforts.
I believe some areas for developments are of importance, like sites for boardwalk and car park at Shui Hau; hope these can be reconsidered.
As I noted, others just not really “eco”; more about an Outdoor Recreation Corridor.
While ERM plan aligns with ideas I’ve sent; and surely with beliefs of various conservationists. If can shift towards these, may be good.
Theme park type efforts can fail terribly, of course; I know a few examples in the Sai Kung area, say.
The cable car is kind of to “nowhere”. Could just take bus, even more readily than bus rather than cable car from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping.
Yesterday, was saying with my son that a cable car to ridge east of Sunset Peak might be interesting, perhaps a bit like cable cars we’ve been up in China, with small cafe at the top. But would likely also be controversial; would need to balance, judge whether too many hikers would be highly upset/angered. [It would still be a fair walk to reach nearby summits; many people would just stay around the cafe, viewpoint; also as per China.]
While for Shui Hau, protecting mudflats and trying to restrain disturbance and shellfish collecting are key; would be nice to have an open marshy pool in old fields.
For Pui O, so much degradation; a permanent wet area, with open pool[s] would be excellent – rather than becoming arid mud for spells in winter, and could have bird n buffalo viewing facilities…
