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RECREATION
Kong from late June to mid-September. There were about 5,000 different events— the activities including camping, excursions, sports, games, swimming lessons, com- petitions, variety shows, concerts and Chinese opera. Some 200 training courses were also held in youth leadership, canoeing, first aid and various crafts.
Although students and schoolchildren on holiday again formed the majority of participants, there was a noticeable increase in the number of young working people taking part in evening and weekend events. Along with older students, their interest lay mainly in community service projects and the training courses.
As in the previous seven years, the overall planning was done by the Central Co-ordinating Committee for Youth Recreation. The programme was implemented mainly by volunteers from youth groups, voluntary agencies, schools, district organisa- tions, government departments and the Armed Services. The total cost was estimated to be about $3 million. Half was donated by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, which also gave a further $150,000 for some permanent recreational facilities.
Of all the activities presented in 1976, camping remained the most popular and outings into the countryside attracted greatly increased numbers. Future programmes are to include more conservation and forestry camps-not only for the youngsters' enjoyment but also to ensure that the environment is properly used and preserved.
The Countryside
Thousands of people of all ages hike across the hills and through the wooded valleys of Hong Kong every weekend. The numbers are continually growing and, because of this, provision was made at the beginning of the year for the most important areas of countryside to be designated as country parks under the Country Parks Ordinance. The objective is to open up the countryside for the enjoyment of all and to develop its recreational potential, while at the same time ensuring that both country- side and wildlife are cared for and preserved for the benefit of future as well as present generations.
Under the new ordinance, the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries is the Country Parks Authority and is responsible for the management of the country parks. The Agriculture and Fisheries Department has up to now managed about one fifth of the scenic countryside for recreation purposes, and in 1976 visitors to these areas alone totalled well over two million. Many others took advantage of the generally un- restricted access to penetrate into the most remote areas.
Since 1972 the department has been expanding its basic management services- which include the provision of picnic sites with tables and benches, litter bins and children's play apparatus, and also fireplaces for barbecues wherever it is safe. Foot- paths are being improved and waymarked, and there are nature trails with guidebooks for people who take their outings seriously. There are also information boards, panoramic displays and maps, viewing compasses, explanatory posters and pamphlets, and simple shelters against the rain and sun. The department's other services include first aid and search and rescue, which are administered from the management centres and conducted by patrolling personnel.