-
Every community must consider what contribution it can make.
In Hong Kong we have two specific obligations: locally to do our best to preserve Hong Kong's own wildlife whether animal, vegetable or marine; and internationally to make our contribution to the World Conservation Strategy.
We have to face the fact that our attempts to do this in Hong Kong encounter exceptional contrary pressures. The density of population and its very rapid increase inevitably compete with all forms of wildlife for use of the very limited land and water. Moreover there is the imperative need for this rapidly increasing population to earn its living and maintain itself in a territory totally devoid of natural resources other than its people and its harbour. It is our duty to reconcile these conflicting obligations within Hong Kong for the benefit of our people and because of our international obligations. Hong Kong is only a tiny island in the vast land mass of East Asia of which our wildlife is only a microscopic part. But it is a part which is fascinating, beautiful and accessible, and is to
be treasured.
Domestically, in addition to increasing control of pollution the most significant act of preservation has been the establishment of country parks covering 40% of the territory, with a staff which will progressively be trained both to preserve wildlife and educate the public both to enjoy it and to co-operate in its preservation. There are also powers to designate for preservation areas of special scientific interest which lie outside the parks themselves. Development within this large area of nearly 200 square miles can only take place after special procedures which ensure that the requirements of preservation are given the weight they deserve.
Internationally we have enacted legislation to give effect to the 1973 Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species. This legislation has pressed hard on trade for souvenirs and luxury products inflated by demand from other countries and tourists. This demand is in excess of the safe yield from the basic natural resources and must be restrained or replaced by the use of other materials; and so far as Hong Kong is concerned increasingly effective action is being taken.
/Important.....