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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
347
It is our responsibility to protect the environment. Living in a small place like Hong Kong, our living condition is fairly crowded. As the land here is so limited, we have to treasure it more. It is therefore important that the environment should be protected. I earnestly hope that the Town Planning Board and the Hong Kong Government will learn the lesson of the Nam San Wai Incident and finalize the Town Planning Bill and Environmental Protection Bill as early as possible so as to forestall other applications for development projects subsequent to the Nam San Wai Incident. Besides, as Deep Bay is adjacent to the Futian region of Shenzhen, the authorities concerned should liaise with the Shenzhen Authority and join hands to protect this important natural environment through legislation and education.
Another disturbing issue is the development of Ma On Shan which has already been extended to the area of Nai Chung, threatening the natural ecology and environment of Mangrove which is close to Sam Pui Chau. There is a suggestion from some Members of the Legislative Council that Tolo Harbour should be reclaimed to increase land supply. What a surprising idea it is! Since the government introduced water control measures in Tolo Harbour, the water quality there has been improved. Recently, there is no more red tide and the harbour has become a popular resort for those who love fishing and water sports. But now there is a suggestion to reclaim the harbour. Do they intend to blow up the efforts of the government over the past years? Do they think that human beings' yearning for the nature can be ignored just for the sake of land development? Do they want their descendants to live in a city with no harbour? There are two popular sayings in the green group: 'Our extinction is caused by our indifference to the environment. Our loss of ecological sites is triggered by our lack of determination.' The loss of the ecological wetland in Nam San Wai can be regarded as a reflection of the government's faltering determination in its environmental protection policy. The loss itself has posed a threat to the lives of numerous species living in Nam San Wai. The fact that we are indifferent to the issue of environmental protection and take environmental problems as trifling matters while paying attention to economic development alone reflects the ignorance of the Hong Kong Government. In my opinion, Mr. Chairman, if the quality of water in Tolo Harbour can be further improved, the harbour may be developed into a multi-purpose water sports centre so that no more ignorant people will have the chance to reclaim the harbour for the sake of increasing the land supply of Hong Kong. At present, the idea of marine parks is not well known among the public. I would like to ask the Hong Kong Government and Urban Council to work more closely with schools to organize some marine park tours. In this way, our next generation will be able to see and learn the important geographical features of sea rifts and sea caves, as well as the beautiful side of Hong Kong which is comparable to the coastal scenery of Thousand Island Lake. We can thus foster a sense of responsibility among them to care for the environment.
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