THE ENVIRONMENT
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includes the improvement of footpaths, provision of picnic places and toilets, informa- tion and education services, and improved road access for management personnel.
New legislation is being drafted to make possible the designation of the most important areas as country parks. A major objective is to protect these areas from deterioration through developments which are incompatible with recreation.
In the development and operation of countryside management services, the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries is assisted by an advisory committee on recrea- tional development and nature conservation together with a sub-committee specifically dealing with nature conservation. The membership of these committees consist of officials of various government departments and also leading members of the com- munity and staff of the two universities. During the year the parent committee met four times and the sub-committee four times
The greater part of the countryside is subject to some form of prohibition regard- ing bird and wild mammal hunting, and carrying firearms. During the year an area of the Mai Po marshes was given further protection under the Wild Birds and Wild Mammals Protection Ordinance to allow for control of entry to the area and protec- tion of the ecology. Overall enforcement of the Ordinance is carried out by four full- time game wardens supported by 224 other government officials, who have powers of game wardens in addition to their normal duties, and by 27 honorary game wardens. Also, all Justices of the Peace and police officers have the statutory powers of game wardens.
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