Nevertheless, with limited land and rapidly changing circumstances in Hong Kong, it is important to fully explore the meanings of land development before any developers make and implement plans that insufficiently consider the impacts on societies and other developmental priorities. Here, I aim to rethink the relations between the nature-based land development in terms of its ecological characteristics, potential public demand for outdoor activities, and possible role of indigenous inhabitants and their cultural traditions in ecotourism development. In this paper, I choose three villages in Sai Kung district for the understanding of relevant issues. Yet, why was Sai Kung chosen for further investigation?
From the Sai Kung Recreational Plan
With magnificent views and large areas of less developed land, Sai Kung district is referred to as "The Garden of Hong Kong." In fact, a tourism and recreation development plan of the district was proposed to the government in 1996. Though the proposal was not approved, it is worth studying the ideas suggested and the parties involved in this proposal. Moreover, according to someone who was involved in the proposal planning, the proposal did turn the government's attention towards developing Sai Kung. In the policy objective of 1999, Sai Kung district is designated as one of the two centres for recreation and leisure activities in the coming century. Lantau Island, where the third theme park of Disneyland besides Japan and Paris is to be built, would be the other.
Regarding the local initiative in the mid-1990s, Sai Kung Tourism and Recreation Development Plan was prepared by Sai Kung District Development Foundation (SKDDF). SKDDF was a non-profit organization whose objective was to promote the development of tourism, recreation, and economic development in the region, as stated in their Foundation's brochure. The council members consisted of people from the Sai Kung Rural Committee, Sai Kung District Board, a charitable foundation, a surveying company, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). In the preparation of that development plan, a multi-disciplinary team of consultants was formed, also involving academic resources from the Department of Hotel and Tourism Management of Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU).