FOOK YEE WONG

The author is Assistant Director (Country and Marine Parks), Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China

Citation: This paper may be cited as: [Authors.] 2005. [Article title.] In Ted Trzyna, ed., The Urban Imperative. California Institute of Public Affairs, Sacramento, California.

1. INTRODUCTION

In Hong Kong, where almost 7 million people live in an area of little more than 1,000 km² , some 40 percent of the land is in  protected areas. This percentage is one of the highest in East Asia. Despite keen demand for land for other uses, Hong Kong has been able to maintain a large portion of its territory as well-protected areas.

Hong Kong has 23 country parks and 15 special areas designated as terrestrial protected areas (PAs), totaling 41,582 ha. In addition, there are four marine parks and one marine reserve designated as a marine PA, totaling 2,430 ha. These areas are reserved for nature conservation, countryside recreation, outdoor education, ecotourism and scientific studies.

Natural and cultural resources in these areas are protected by such legislation as the Country Parks, Marine Parks, and Forestry and Countryside ordinances. Protective measures comprise fire control, law enforcement including daily patrols, and such habitat enhancement measures as installation of bird nests, planting of native species, and creation of artificial reefs.

The richness of Hong Kong’s natural assets is remarkable for such a small place. It has some 3,100 species of vascular plants, 57 mammals, 452 birds, 78 reptiles, 23 amphibians, 2,300 insects, 84 stony corals, and some 96 freshwater fish. New records of birds and insects are constantly added to the list, indicating that there may well be more species of plants and animals. For this reason, the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department has been conducting ecological surveys. These include a “reef check,” studies of the Chinese white dolphin and finless porpoise, and baseline surveys of birds, insects, mammals, and amphibians. The results have been very encouraging. All these efforts provide information for the designation of new PAs and illustrate the effectiveness of conservation measures in existing such areas.

2. RECREATIONAL USES

In each of the past five years, over 11 million people have visited Hong Kong’s country and marine parks. They come for hiking, barbecuing, picnicking, exercise, camping, diving, boating, fishing, and nature study. Country parks serve people of different age groups and social groups. All can find something interesting and attractive in them. A wide variety of facilities and services have been provided, including visitor centers, nature trails, long distance hiking trails, camp sites, picnic sites, play areas, nature education centers, morning walkers’ gardens, fitness equipment, and on-site interpretation materials (Wong, 1996).

The value of PAs was underscored in April and May of 2003, when Hong Kong residents were prohibited from traveling abroad because of an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Thousands of people flooded into the country and marine parks seeking fresh air, natural scenery, a clean environment, and escape from urban congestion. SARS served as a timely reminder to the people of Hong Kong of how relevant PAs are to their well-being.

3. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND EDUCATION

Community involvement and participation are keys to the success of any nature conservation policy. Indeed, without the wider community “taking ownership” of the natural environment, it is difficult for any conservation effort to succeed.

To the general public, conservation is often remote, something meant only for nature lovers.” To counteract this attitude, substantial resources have been invested in the last decade to boost community awareness of the natural landscape, habitats, and the need for environmental protection. This has started to bear fruit, especially during the outbreak of SARS.

In recent years, five kinds of initiatives have been used to enhance public understanding of,  and participation in, nature appreciation and protection:

Developing community ownership

Love of nature is a precondition for developing a sense of community ownership of PAs. Fostering love of nature  requires a human touch. The Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department encourages its staff members to learn to love nature themselves. This sets a good example when they lead activities or organize events. When staff lead with zeal and passion, participants feel their genuine involvement and enjoyment. The department has organized such public involvement projects as community tree planting, a hiking festival, coral appreciation, guided walks, and community clean-up days with great success. However, we do not stop at these activities but develop further support by organizing citizens in voluntary groups for community projects.

Initiating community projects

Community projects are mainly targeted to those who want to go beyond mere physical activities and contribute and learn about nature conservation. We encourage the formation of community groups for deeper nature appreciation and involvement.  We assist  the Friends of the Country Parks, hiking groups, a Country Parks Adoption Scheme, the Morning Walkers’ Association, the Nature Conservation Leaders Club, the Youth Adventure Group, and similar associations. These self-motivated groups organize activities and training for their members, and support country parks programmes. They have been actively involved in anti-mosquito and fire prevention campaigns, as well as in keeping the country parks clean. The department provides channels for internal and external communication, and also offers assistance for training and opportunities for field studies.

Involving NGOs

Nongovernmental organizations are very important to conservation of PAs in Hong Kong. They are essential in forming and leading public opinion and in mass education. Very often these groups have a broader range of expertise than is available within the government, and wider networks. They are skilled in public education and publicity campaigns.  Leaders of NGOs are often appointed to statutory and non-statutory advisory bodies of the government on specific areas relating to nature conservation. Over the years, we have expanded collaboration with NGOs and developed joint programs targeted at children, students, and the aged.

This partnership with NGOs also extends to sharing of information and facilities. We provide a Web site, www.HKNature.net, that provides “one-stop” access to information on green groups and other information resources. There is frequent formal and informal contact between leaders and members of NGOs and department staff. Many NGO members have been appointed to the department’s advisory bodies, giving them a formal channel of communication.

There are also joint conservation projects in PAs. The government gives subventions to the Conservancy Association in support of its community education on wetland conservation; to the local branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature for conservation work in the Mai Po wetland, a Ramsar Site designated under the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; and to Friends of the Earth for guided tours for schools.

Improving communication

Information is power. In the 21st century nothing is more important than good communication. In Hong Kong, we use the Internet to provide up-to-date, accurate information to both domestic and overseas users. The department maintains several Web sites, including the official home page of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (http://parks.afcd.gov.hk), where detailed information about country and marine parks is posted; HKNature.net, mentioned above; the Nature Conservation Award Scheme Net for university students; and the Hong Kong Walkers Net (www.hkwalkers.net). We encourage exchange of views through e-mails and Web sites.

In addition to e-information, on-site information is provided in the form of maps, signage, and interpretative materials. These are widely installed within country and marine parks, particularly at park entrances and visitor information centers. Materials are presently bilingual in English and Chinese, with some information in Japanese.

Supporting publications

We have found that books about nature are important in promoting understanding of nature appreciation. With the support of the Friends of the Country Parks, we have managed to publish over 50 books on the parks, as well as on landscapes, birds, insects, marine habitats, and hiking routes. There are also children’s stories, reference books for field studies, and guides to nature photography, bird watching, and nature painting. All these publications are well illustrated with photographs and drawings. They are so attractive that some of them have been at the top of best-seller lists for long periods. Most have been written and illustrated by members of our own staff, who have derived great satisfaction from producing them.

Other initiatives

The department is committed to keeping its parks clean and tidy. Educational facilities have been upgraded, emphasizing more opportunities for hands-on experience. Special areas have been established near nature centers where multiple habitats have been created for easy viewing and learning.

Community building must be established on a wide and solid basis; otherwise public support for PAs will not be strong enough to resist pressure for abuse, especially in such a highly urbanized place as Hong Kong, where land is scarce. The department has established strong connections with hiking groups, universities, medical associations, district councils, schools, the commercial sector, and the general public through regular meetings and joint activities. As a result, Hong Kong has been able to conserve over 40 percent of its territory in PAs.  Although this accounts for only about 41,000 hectares, the message behind it is clear and strong: The people of Hong Kong recognize the benefit of protected areas!

4. CONCLUSIONS

Hong Kong’s status as a world-class city will not be sustained without a world-class system of protected areas. To maintain and strengthen this system, we need public support. Lessons learned from Hong Kong are simple but important:

• We need the public to “take ownership” of PAs. This takes time.
• We should try to build good relations with representatives of all possible sectors of the community. Only when we build up broad and wide support will we be able to defend PAs against pressures, especially in a rapidly developing city like Hong Kong, where land resources are scarce and precious.
• We must communicate directly and effectively with the public, the media, decision-makers, and environmental groups in disseminating the message of the benefits of PAs.
• A team of dedicated and committed staff is indispensable to working with the community.
• Pooling of information and expertise, and sharing of experience, are essential. Such meetings as the IUCN World Parks Congress provide opportunities to make connections for international and cross-disciplinary cooperation and mutual support among managers, scientists, and decision-makers.

5. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. 2001, Departmental Annual Report, 2000-2001. AFCD, Hong Kong.

Eagles, Paul F.J., Stephen F. McCool, and Christopher D. Haynes. 2002. Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas: Guidelines for Planning and Management. IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, Gland, Switzerland.

Environment, Transport and Works Bureau. 2003. Nature Outlook Consultation Document Review of Nature Conservation Policy.  Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong.

Jim, C. Y. and F.Y. Wong. 2001. The Country Parks System and development pressure in Hong Kong. In: J. Hodgkiss, ed., Challenges of Nature Conservation in the Face of Development Pressure: Proceedings of the 2001 IUCN WCPA East Asia Conference, June 2001, 35-44. Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department and Friends of the Country Parks, Hong Kong.

Sheppard, David. 2002. The changing world for protected areas: Implications for East Asia. In: Benefits Beyond Boundaries in East Asia: Proceedings of the Fourth Conference on the Protected Areas of East Asia, March 18-23, 2002, 1-22. IUCN WCPA East Asia Region, Taipei, Taiwan.

Wong, F.Y. 1996. Community involvement in the Country Parks Programme in Hong Kong. In: Mobilizing Community Support for National Parks and Protected Areas in East Asia: Proceedings of the Second Conference on National Parks and Protected Areas of East Asia, June 30 to July 5, 1996, 142-151. Japanese Organizing Committee for the Conference, Tokyo.

Wong, F.Y. (2001), A short history of Hong Kong Country Parks. In: J. Hodgkiss, ed., Challenges of Nature Conservation in the Face of Development Pressure, Proceedings of the 2001 IUCN WCPA East Asia Conference, June 2001, 27-32. Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department and Friends of the Country Parks, Hong Kong.

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Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

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