N 3
# FORESTRY.
11. In the Colony of Hong Kong there are no primeval forests. The forest covering of Hong Kong Island is entirely due to afforestation carried out by the department. This work began on a definite basis about the year 1876 but it was not until 1880 that planting on any large scale was undertaken. Thus the oldest plantation is little more than sixty years of age. Afforestation activities on the mainland (apart from roadside tree planting, etc., which commenced in 1899) began with the first plantings in the Kowloon Reservoir area in 1902. It may be stated that exploitation at this stage is not contemplated and in view of the fact that afforestation generally is likely to be concerned with water conservation and erosion problems for many years, the production of forest for timber purposes is likely to remain subsidiary to the chief aim. Such extraction as takes place is in the nature of forest sanitation, thinnings, etc.
12. Area of Forest Land (Standard Form I)—In the absence of complete statistical data it is estimated that the total afforested area is approximately 22 sq. miles. Of this approx. 18 sq. miles is situated on Hong Kong Island and the remaining 4 sq. miles on the mainland. The Hong Kong areas are continuous, apart from the town area, and provide the island with a forest covering from sea level up to 800 feet. The areas on the mainland are concentrated in four localities.
13. In considering this section mention should be made of the "leased forest lot" system sponsored by Government. These licences came into general operation about 1906 i.e. 8 years after the New Territories were taken over. The aim of the scheme was to ensure fuel supplies to the villagers and at the same time, endeavour to obtain a forest covering on the slopes. In many cases it has resulted in perpetuating the "grazing" rights of the villages and the mixture of forest and "grazing" aims has resulted in a sparse pine tree covering on the lower slopes of the hills, the land being expected to produce both trees and grass. The total area of such lots is 81 square miles which produced $9192/80 in license fees. The trees produced are generally of a stunted nature due to the local custom of lopping side branches for fuel purposes. When the tree has reached a height of about 12 ft. and is 2-4 inches in diameter (B.H.), which dimensions are reached in about 12-15 years, it is removed for firewood purposes. Similar trees on Government plantations in the same period attain 25 ft. in height and 4-6 inches in diameter (B.H.) with a proportionate crown.
14. Progress in Forest Reservation (Standard Form II)—The information given in this form indicates that the matter should receive further attention. Proposals for additional reserves situated on the mainland were submitted to Government during the year and received favourable consideration. The only legally constituted forest reserve (Mount Collinson—area 328 acres) is on Hong Kong Island. The island generally is well wooded and it would be impracticable to constitute more reserves in view of its large population and relatively small area. It is considered better to treat the whole wooded area as a forest reserve on modified lines and to maintain it as protection forest.
15. It is intended to take steps in regard to the afforested areas on the mainland and to this end one of them (Taipo Kau forest reserve—area approx. 577 acres) was in process of survey and demarcation at the end of the year. When preliminaries are completed it will be legally constituted as a forest reserve. This reserve will function as the forest experimental station of the department. It may be stated that increase in forest area in the Colony is at present, almost entirely dependent upon the production and maintenance of forest reserves by this department.
16. Record of Forest Communications—These consist entirely of forestry paths. The total length of these during the year under review was 54 miles and they are cleared and repaired annually in conjunction with the fire barriers. There is insufficient information to justify the use of Standard Form IV.
Table I.
FOREST PROTECTION SERVICE: ANALYSIS OF OFFENCES AND LOCALITIES.
N 3
FORESTRY.
11. In the Colony of Hong Kong there are no primeval forests. The forest covering of Hong Kong Island is entirely due to afforestation carried out by the department. This work began on a definite basis about the year 1876 but it was not until 1880 that planting on any large scale was undertaken. Thus the oldest plantation is little more than sixty years of age. Afforestation activities on the mainland (apart from roadside tree planting, etc., which commenced in 1899) began with the first plantings in the Kowloon Reservoir area in 1902. It may be stated that exploitation at this stage is not contemplated and in view of the fact that afforestation generally is likely to be concerned with water conservation and erosion problems for many years, the production of forest for timber purposes is likely to remain subsidiary to the chief aim. Such extraction as takes place is in the nature of forest sanitation, thinnings, etc.
12. Area of Forest Land (Standard Form I)-In the absence of complete statis- tical data it is estimated that the total afforested area is approximately 22 sq. miles. Of this approx. 18 sq. miles is situated on Hong Kong Island and the remaining 4 sq. miles on the mainland. The Hong Kong areas are continuous, apart from the town area, and provide the island with a forest covering from sea level up to 800 feet. The areas on the mainland are concentrated in four localities.
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13. In considering this section mention should be made of the "leased forest lot" system sponsored by Government. These licences came into general operation about 1906 i.e. 8 years after the New Territories were taken over. The aim of the scheme was to ensure fuel supplies to the villagers and at the same time, endeavour to obtain a forest covering on the slopes. In many cases it has resulted in perpetuating the "grazing" rights of the villages and the mixture of forest and "grazing" aims has resulted in a sparse pine tree covering on the lower slopes of the hills, the land being expected to produce both trees and grass. The total area of such lots is 81 square miles which produced $9192/80 in license fees. The trees produced are generally of a stunted nature due to the local custom of lopping side branches for fuel purposes. When the tree has reached a height of about 12 ft. and is 2-4 inches in diameter (B.H.), which dimensions are reached in about 12-15 years, it is removed for firewood purposes. Similar trees on Govern- ment plantations in the same period attain 25 ft. in height and 4-6 inches in diameter (B.H.) with a proportionate crown.
14. Progress in Forest Reservation (Standard Form II)--The information given in this form indicates that the matter should receive further attention. Proposals for additional reserves situated on the mainland were submitted to Government during the year and received favourable consideration. The only legally constituted forest reserve (Mount Collinson-area 328 acres) is on Hong Kong Island. The island generally is well wooded and it would be impracticable to constitute more reserves in view of its large population and relatively small area. It is considered better to treat the whole wooded area as a forest reserve on modified lines and to maintain it as protection forest.
15. It is intended to take steps in regard to the afforested areas
on the mainland and to this end one of them (Taipo Kau forest reserve-area approx. 577 acres) was in process of survey and demarcation at the end of the year. When preliminaries are completed it will be legally constituted as a forest reserve. This reserve will function as the forest experimental station of the department. It may be stated that increase in forest area in the Colony is at present, almost entirely dependent upon the production and maintenance of forest reserves by this department.
16. Record of Forest Communications-These consist entirely of forestry paths. The total length of these during the year under review was 54 miles and they are cleared and repaired annually in conjunction with the fire barriers. insufficient information to justify the use of Standard Form IV,
There is
Table I.
FOREST PROTECTION SERVICE: ANALYSIS OF OFFENCES AND LOCALITIES.
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