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Sai Kung West Country Park extended
The Sai Kung West Country Park has been extended by 123 hectares following approval by the Governor-in-Council of the draft map for the Wan Tsai Extension.
A spokesman for the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) said the extension included the north-eastern part of Sai Kung West Country Park, which covered Wan Tsai Peninsula and three adjacent islands at Hoi Ha Wan.
It was identified as one of the potential country park sites in the Territorial Development Strategy Review in 1993 and the draft map was gazetted on December 1.
The spokesman said the extension of this formerly borrow area was mainly for nature conservation, countryside recreation and outdoor education.
The hills and undulating plains will provide more opportunities for members of the public to enjoy hiking and other passive outdoor recreation such as picnicking in this scenic area.
It will also facilitate the protection of the proposed marine park at Hoi Ha Wan.
Successful afforestation works had been carried out, he said, adding that AFD would continue tree planting in the area to enhance the environment.
Other management work would primarily aim at preserving the landscape and upkeeping the footpaths connected to the peninsula from Hoi Ha and Tai Tan, he said.
Facilities such as picnic tables, benches, litter bins, shelters, information boards, view compasses and way markers at strategic locations will also be provided.
The new country park was welcomed by the public and green groups, said the spokesman.
An order designating the area shown in the approved map on Wan Tsai Extension has been published in the Gazette today (Friday) and the new map is now available for inspection at the Land Registry and for sale at AFD.
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