Adjacent to Mai Po, Wetland of International Importance, Nam Sang Wai has high ecological value and is an indispensable part of the wetland ecosystem. Diverse habitats in Nam Sang Wai, which include fishponds, trees, mudflat and reed bed, provide habitats for birds. It also serves as an important stopover site for migrating birds, including endangered Black-faced Spoonbill. Besides, Great Cormorant roosting in Nam Sang Wai comprises of 30% to 60% of the whole population in Deep Bay.
In March 2018, fire broke out in Nam Sang Wai again. Part of the reed bed and trees were damaged, causing disturbance to wild birds. Although reeds could re-grow in a few months, it is worried that re-occurrence of fire makes the recovery of habitats difficult, leading to a greater impact on ecology. In view of the climate in Hong Kong and doubts on the fire, it is likely that the fire is man-made. Regardless of the motives behind the fire, any environmental destruction to Nam Sang Wai should not be tolerated.
A coalition of 14 green groups, including The Conservancy Association, and LegCo member Roy Kwong Chun Yu have issued a joint statement on 15 March 2018 to strongly condemn the fire incidents. Human-induced fire in Nam Sang Wai was not the first time so that we called on the Police to investigate the cause of the fire and arrest the party concerned.
The fire has again aroused public attention on Nam Sang Wai. Putting aside our anger and regret, it is believed that the public wish not only to arrest concerned party immediately, but to bring up the importance of providing long-term protection to Nam Sang Wai. It is because Nam Sang Wai has been suffering from environmental destruction, such as fire, and development pressure. Although Nam Sang Wai and its adjacent are designated as “Wetland Conservation Area” and “Wetland Buffer Area” under Town Planning Board Guidelines for Application for Developments within Deep Bay Area, applications for development projects which are incompatible to the surrounding environment have often been received by TPB. We urge the Government to provide long-term protection to Nam Sang Wai by taking initiatives in implementing measures, such as land resumption according to current legislation, or non-in-situ land exchange.
CA’s rural monitoring work – Nam Sang Wai
