43
BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
-
FORESTRY SECTION.
I. GENERAL REVIEW AND FUTURE POLICY
Review of Forestry Operations to Date.
The Island of Hong Kong (area 32 sq. miles) became a
British possession in the year 1841. Subsequent additions to
the Colony were Kowloon (1 sq. mile) in the year 1860 and the
New Territories (area 357 sq. miles) leased for 99 years, in
the year 1898. Thus, the Island of Hong Kong has been a
British possession for 97 years, Kowloon for 78 years and the
New Territories for 40 years. This should be borne in mind
when considering the progress made in afforestation during
past years.
Prior to 1880 plant experiments with a view to
possible afforestation had been made by the Government Gardens
Department working under the Surveyor Gene ral's Department. These experiments having given reasonable success, in that year (1880) it was decided to re-constitute the Government Gardens Department as a separate department under the title of the Botanical and Forestry Department and to provide a vote for
afforestation purposes. From this time onwards afforestation
operations have been carried on in a systematic manner.
The addition of the New Territories in 1898 opened
up a larger field for forestry operations and plantation
activities were extended to the Mainland in the year 1902.
2. Present Position
follows:-
At the present time the results may be summarized as
Hong Kong Island The greater part of the Island
has received attention and its present afforested
state is a tribute to the past efforts of the Depart-
ment. The afforestation methods practised and
protective service employed have produced a cover
composed of Pine trees and a heavy growth of
indigenous trees and shrubs.