Media

Green Groups call for Po Toi Islands Country Park

In response to the inadequate protection of the current statutory plan

 

(4 November 2015) Five environmental concern groups, including The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (HKBWS), The Conservancy Association, Designing Hong Kong, Green Power and WWF - Hong Kong, today urged the Government to designate the Po Toi Islands as a Country Park. This proposal was widely supported by local Po Toi villagers and over 7,000 members of the public. The proposal is in line with the Government’s recommendation to designate Po Toi as a Country Park in the South West New Territories Development Strategy Review in 2001. 

Mr. Apache Lau, the Chairman of HKBWS said, “For the past few years, there has been a substantial growth in the number of visitors to Po Toi. In order to fully protect the well-established ecological and geological value of the island and to manage its heritage and recreational value in the public interest the best mechanism is to designate it as a Country Park. Active management of the area for conservation, provision of basic facilities for recreation and education, and a robust mechanism to prevent any undesirable development that will cause habitat destruction”.

In early 2012, extensive trashing of the important bird habitat on Po Toi - with the intention of facilitating unauthorised columbarium development - led to the designation of the Development Permission Area Plan by the Planning Department. Now, three years later, an Outline Zoning Plan has been gazetted. However, development pressure still exists. An area proposed as "Residential (Group D)" (R(D)) allows low-density development of a known hot-spot for migratory birds. A hostel development is inappropriately proposed within a well-wooded “Conservation Area” (CA) zoning. Two developers have also submitted proposals for columbarium development with a total of 7,850 niches. 

In order to protect the sensitive habitats of Po Toi, Green Groups consider that the R(D) zone should be rezoned to CA, while clauses related to the hostel development within the CA zone should be deleted. Relevant departments should also designate the ecologically sensitive areas as “Site of Special Scientific Interest” (SSSI). Ultimately, for the long-term nature conservation and management of Po Toi, the Po Toi Islands should be designated as a Country Park.

Po Toi Islands is a crucial refuelling stop for many migratory birds.  HKBWS has recorded over 300 species of birds on Po Toi. This accounts for over 60% of the total bird species in Hong Kong. Many internationally threated bird species are regular visitors of Po Toi, such as the globally endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola) and the vulnerable Fairy Pitta (Pitta nympha). For the past 10 years, a total of 20 Hong Kong first records were discovered on Po Toi. Besides, Green Power recorded 50 species of butterflies in a one-day survey, which accounts for over 20% of Hong Kong’s total. Po Toi also supports the natural population of the endemic and globally endangered Romer’s Tree Frog Liuixalus romeri. 

Tomorrow (5 November) morning the Town Planning Board will hold a hearing to receive views on the draft Po Toi Islands Outline Zoning Plans from stakeholders including Green Groups and villagers. Members of the public are invited to watch the live-broadcast of the meeting, which will be held at the North Point Government Offices. 

Media Enquiry: HKBWS Conservation Officer WOO Ming Chuan (Tel: 2377 4387)

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Find out more at “Support Po Toi Country Park” Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SupportPoToi/